Korede Abdullah 
RIVERS, Nigeria – The Rivers State Government has arrested four people over alleged medical quackery, impersonation and the performance of a thyroidectomy on an unsuspecting patient, as authorities intensify enforcement against unregistered healthcare providers.
The state Ministry of Health also sealed eight health facilities during its October inspection exercise over alleged registration breaches and failure to meet prescribed operating standards.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed the enforcement actions on Wednesday, saying officers uncovered an unregistered health outfit allegedly operating secretly within a residential compound at No. 27 Victoria Street, Port Harcourt.
Two of the suspects were identified as Ataisi Jephtha and Mgboawaji Edwin. The ministry alleged that Jephtha had been posing as a trained surgeon. A thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure involving the partial or complete removal of the thyroid gland. The operation requires appropriate medical training and expertise.
The ministry did not provide further details about the patient involved or the circumstances surrounding the alleged procedure in the information released. In a separate enforcement action, authorities sealed five hospitals and two diagnostic laboratory centres over alleged registration and operational violations.
The closures form part of the state government’s efforts to ensure that healthcare facilities comply with regulatory requirements and operate within established professional standards.
Wachukwu warned that licensed medical practitioners found collaborating with unregistered or substandard facilities would face disciplinary action under the regulations of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting residents from unsafe medical practices and ensuring that healthcare providers meet the requirements for lawful operation.
The ministry urged healthcare operators to obtain the necessary registrations and comply with minimum operating standards, warning that facilities found violating the rules could face sanctions.
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Hope Ajayi 
Oluwatobi Adu 