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The Rivers State Government has sealed Manda Hospital in Elelenwo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, over alleged involvement in child trafficking.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this on Monday during the ministry’s third-quarter press briefing in Port Harcourt.
Wachukwu said the action followed surveillance and enforcement operations targeting unregistered and poorly regulated health facilities across four local government areas.
He said the ministry’s task force, supported by security operatives, uncovered suspected child trafficking activities at the hospital.
According to him, a Liberian national allegedly disclosed that three children were procured from the facility within one month.
He said investigations further showed that the hospital was operating without registration and did not have licensed medical practitioners.
“Operators were arrested by NAPTIP while the facility was sealed off,” Wachukwu said.
The permanent secretary said the ministry monitored more than 150 health facilities during the exercise, with only about 20 per cent of registered facilities found to be complying with mandatory annual inspections and renewal of certificates of standards.
He disclosed that 21 facilities were shut down across the state, comprising eight hospitals, five maternity homes and eight diagnostic centres, while three persons were arrested for prosecution.
Wachukwu said 19 of the affected facilities were operating without registration and below the ministry’s minimum standards.
He added that one registered facility was also found to be operating below standard, with no licensed doctor or other qualified health worker present during inspection.
Among the facilities sealed were Vasty Clinic in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA; Danny Clinic in Port Harcourt Township; Havilla Hospital in Igwuruta; Kambel Hospital in Abara Eche; Golden Era Hospital in Igwuruta; and Ola Oluwa Hospital in Igwuruta.
Wachukwu said the operator of Havilla Hospital, identified as Isaac, claimed to be a Ukraine-trained doctor and had been conducting free medical outreaches despite lacking a licence from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
He said the man was arrested and would be referred to the Medical and Dental Council for further action.
On traditional birth attendants, Wachukwu said the ministry would continue to support their training while ensuring that they operate within acceptable limits and refer complicated cases to qualified hospitals.
He said the owner of Serah Maternity in Belema Polo, Port Harcourt Township, Belema Polo, was cautioned and directed to undergo additional training and obtain appropriate licensing.
Wachukwu reiterated the ministry’s commitment to strengthening regulation, curbing quackery and protecting residents from unsafe healthcare practices across the state.
