The Cross River Government has sealed three private health facilities in the state over allegations of quackery, non-registration, outdated facilities, and lack of minimal standards to function. The announcement was made by the state’s Ministry of Health in a statement to journalists in Calabar on Saturday.
Taskforce inspection leads to sealing
Stephen Agbor of the Department of Medical and Dental Service (DMDS) and Dan Abubakar signed the statement. They said the facilities were sealed following an inspection by the taskforce on Health Quality and Anti-Quackery. The inspection targeted facilities in the central senatorial district after receiving intelligence information on their activities.
“The sealed private health facilities include Gifted Hands Empowerment Foundation in Ikom and Ekori, Rockalive Medical Centre in Nko, and Benson Clinic in Ikom,” the statement read.
Gifted Hands Empowerment Foundation violations
Gifted Hands Empowerment Foundation operated without registration with the state’s Ministry of Health and lacked qualified and licensed personnel. The facility also operated in a clinically unsafe environment and had a history of high post-surgical mortality rate. According to the statement, “Gifted Hands has other clinics in Ekori located in Sam Eko’s house, Ntan Ekori. It was reported that a woman from Yakurr died in the facility shortly after surgical operation on 7 June.”
Rockalive Medical Centre and Benson Clinic
Rockalive Medical Centre in Nko was also operated by unqualified personnel. The facility had poor infrastructure and lacked necessary healthcare equipment. The taskforce recommended the sealing and closure of Benson Clinic in Ikom, which was being run by a teacher without any medical training background. “This clinic has no licensed doctor present. The facility is dilapidated with no basic hospital equipment, and they are involved in several unethical medical practices,” the statement added.
