Rivers shuts 21 health facilities, arrests three over quackery

The Rivers State Ministry of Health has closed 21 healthcare facilities in four local government areas due to operating without registration or failing to meet minimum healthcare standards. Three individuals were arrested during an inspection in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, and Etche Local Government Areas. These facilities included eight hospitals, five maternity centers, and eight diagnostic centers.

Nineteen of the affected facilities were unregistered and operating below required standards. One registered facility was shut down after inspectors found no licensed medical staff present. The investigation was prompted by reports of over 150 unregistered facilities operating without supervision. One of the sealed facilities, Manda Clinic and Maternity in Elelenwo, was shut down in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) due to alleged child trafficking and the absence of licensed medical practitioners.

Another facility, Havilla Hospital in Igwuruta, was closed after its operator lacked proper licensing from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), despite claiming medical training in Ukraine. The operator of Ola Oluwa Medical Centre in Igwuruta was arrested for impersonation due to the lack of medical training or license.

The ministry also inspected Sarah Maternity in Belema Polo, Enugu Waterside, finding a reported patient load of over 1,000 women daily. While not shut down, the operator was issued a warning and the facility will serve as a contact point for other traditional birth attendants and maternity centers for supervision and training. The enforcement drive will continue throughout 2026, with the ministry urging residents to verify the validity of certificates before seeking care and report suspicious medical practices to authorities.