Rivers Anti-Quackery Committee Shuts Down Health Facilities Over Regulatory Breaches

The Rivers State Interprofessional Anti-Quackery Committee has sealed off several health facilities in Port Harcourt and its environs following a fresh crackdown on unlicensed medical practices and violations of regulatory standards. The exercise, carried out on August 22, 2025, targeted clinics, maternity homes, and pharmacies accused of operating without proper approval from the state Ministry of Health. According to officials, many of the affected facilities had no certified medical personnel, lacked the mandatory Certificate of Standard, and were engaging in unsafe practices that posed risks to public health. Chairman of the committee and Director of Medical Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, confirmed that one of the facilities, Bristol Clinic and Maternity located in Rumuodomaya, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, had been previously deregistered but continued to operate illegally. He explained that the facility was offering maternity and surgical services without the supervision of licensed doctors and nurses. The operator of the clinic was arrested during the raid and is expected to face prosecution for quackery and impersonation. Investigations also revealed several disturbing practices. In some locations, shops were converted into makeshift hospitals, while certain pharmacies were found admitting patients and administering intravenous infusions. The committee further uncovered centers claiming to train auxiliary nurses, despite lacking accreditation, and carrying out medical procedures far beyond their scope. Two suspects were arrested on the spot, while others have been summoned to appear before professional disciplinary bodies, including the Nigerian Medical Association and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, for appropriate sanctions. There are conflicting reports on the number of facilities sealed during the operation, with figures ranging from four to six. However, the committee maintained that the latest action is part of a broader campaign to curb quackery across the state. Officials noted that since the task force was inaugurated, dozens of unauthorized facilities have been shut down, and several operators are currently facing prosecution. Wachukwu reiterated the government’s commitment to sanitizing the health sector, stressing that illegal operators would no longer be allowed to put the lives of residents at risk. “The Ministry of Health, working with professional associations, will continue to protect citizens from unqualified practitioners and unsafe practices. Any facility found violating established regulations will be dealt with accordingly,” he said. The sealed facilities will remain under lock and key pending investigations, while legal processes will determine whether licences will be revoked or renewed under strict compliance. Residents were also urged to patronize only accredited hospitals and certified health professionals for their medical needs.