C'River Seals 3 Private Clinics Over Quackery, Outdated Facilities
By Judex OKORO
The Government of Cross River has closed down three private clinics in the state over alleged quackery, non registration, outdated facilities, and lack of minimal standard to function.
The sealing was announced by the state's ministry of health in a press statement made available to newsmen in Calabar at the weekend.
In the statement signed by Dr Stephen Agbor, Department of Medical and Dental Service (DMDS), and Dr Dan Abubakar, the facilities were sealed following inspection by the taskforce on Health Quality and Anti-Quackery.
According to the statement, the inspection of these facilities located in the central senatorial district followed an intelligence information on their activities.
The ministry listed the sealed private health facilities to include: Gifted Hands Empowerment Foundation in Ikom and Ekori,
Rockalive Medical Centre in Nko and Benson Clinic in Ikom.
The statement noted that the sealed Gifted Hands Empowerment Foundation operated without registration with the state's ministry of health and also operated without a qualified and licensed personnel.
It added that aside from operating with qualified and licensed personnel, the hospital operated in a clinically unsafe environment.
"With the history of high post surgical mortality rate and it is operated with a quack called Dr Mike.
"Gifted Hands has other clinics in Ekori located in Engineer Sam Eko’s house, Ntan Ekori. It was reported that a woman from Yakurr died in the facility shortly after surgical operation on June 7," it stated.
Similarly, for Rockalive Medical Centre in Nko, the taskforce explained that the facility was also operated by unqualified personnel, it has poor facilities, and also there is absence of necessary healthcare equipment.
Also, the taskforce recommended the sealing and closure of Benson Clinic in Ikom that was formerly operated by one late Dr Benson Iloani, but presently being run by his wife who is a teacher without any medical training background.
"It has no licensed doctor present. Dilapidated facilities, no basic hospital equipment present, and they are involved in several unethical medical practices," it concluded.
