The Cross River Taskforce on Health Quality and Anti-Quackery has ordered the closure of Safe Hands Maternity Clinic, a private health facility located in Calabar Municipality, following the death of a patient after a surgical procedure.
Inspection Reveals Multiple Violations
The task force, led by Dan Abubakar, conducted an unscheduled inspection after receiving a petition regarding the patient's death. The facility, owned by Inyang Ekeng, a community health extension officer, was originally a three-bedroom apartment converted into a six-bed maternity clinic. It operated without licensed nursing personnel.
During the inspection, the team discovered that surgeries were allegedly performed by Sunday Abeng, a medical doctor and registrar at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, under substandard conditions. The clinic was also found to be operating beyond its approved scope and had admitted a stroke patient who was reportedly abandoned.
Lack of Essential Documentation
The task force noted that the facility lacked operational licences, standard consulting rooms, adequate office space, proper ventilation, staff records, and a patient register. Other violations included missing patient registration documents, absence of theatre records, poor sanitation, inadequate waste disposal, and employment of unqualified personnel.
Official Condemnation
Reacting to the findings, Abubakar expressed concern, describing such establishments as potential death traps that endanger unsuspecting members of the public. He stated that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, aligned with the state government's vision, would not tolerate illegal and substandard healthcare facilities.
Abubakar noted that the governor is currently renovating and constructing modern, well-equipped health centres across the state. He urged residents to seek care at approved government facilities instead of risking their lives with quack operators. He warned that patronising unaccredited clinics is akin to a suicide mission, given the dangerous and unsanitary conditions.
The clinic owner and attending doctor were given time to evacuate all admitted patients before the facility was sealed.
