The ministry disclosed that a major discovery during the operation was an illegal health facility allegedly operating within a residential compound at 27 Victoria Street, where two suspected quacks were reportedly apprehended while attempting to perform a thyroidectomy on a patient.
The suspects were identified as Mr Ataisi Jephtha and Mrs Mgboawaji Edwin.
According to the ministry, Jephtha allegedly posed as a surgeon, while Edwin was accused of assisting him at the facility. The two were arrested, and the premises were immediately sealed by the enforcement team.
A thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland, which is located at the front of the neck and helps regulate the body’s metabolism.
The ministry expressed concern over the alleged incident, highlighting the potential dangers of allowing unqualified individuals to perform surgical procedures without the necessary professional training, registration and medical facilities.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s Press Officer, Edna Alete, authorities disclosed that five other hospitals and two laboratory centres were also shut down during the exercise.
The facilities were reportedly found to be operating without registration or failing to meet the minimum standards required for healthcare delivery.
The enforcement exercise forms part of the state government’s efforts to curb medical quackery, ensure compliance with healthcare regulations and protect residents from unsafe medical practices.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, warned that licensed medical practitioners who work in unregistered or substandard facilities would also face sanctions.
According to the ministry, such practitioners risk penalties in line with the applicable guidelines of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
The warning underscores the ministry’s position that professional registration alone does not exempt medical practitioners from complying with facility licensing requirements and established standards of practice.
Healthcare providers are expected to operate within properly registered facilities equipped to deliver services safely and in accordance with relevant regulations.
The ministry’s enforcement efforts are aimed at ensuring that medical services are provided by qualified personnel in environments that meet the required standards for patient care.
The latest operation comes barely a week after the ministry reportedly sealed 21 other facilities suspected of engaging in illegal medical practice across Rivers State.
The successive enforcement exercises suggest an intensified effort by the state authorities to identify and shut down facilities that operate outside established regulatory requirements.
Medical quackery remains a serious public health concern because unqualified practitioners may lack the training, equipment and emergency support required to manage complications arising from medical procedures.
The alleged attempt to perform thyroid surgery in an unregistered residential facility has further highlighted the risks associated with seeking treatment from unverified healthcare providers.
Residents have been encouraged to seek medical attention from properly registered hospitals and qualified healthcare professionals.
The ministry’s actions are expected to continue as authorities work to strengthen regulatory oversight and ensure that healthcare facilities operating in Rivers State comply with applicable laws and professional standards.
The four arrests and the sealing of the eight facilities mark the latest development in the state’s campaign against alleged medical malpractice. However, the allegations against the arrested individuals remain subject to investigation and the appropriate legal process.
