Anambra seals illegal clinic, birth centres over quack practices

The Anambra State government, through its Ministry of Health, has taken decisive action by sealing an unregistered health facility, Vick-Benedict’s Home, and several maternity homes in Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area. These facilities are accused of engaging in illegal and unprofessional medical practices.

Dr. Afam Obidike, the Commissioner for Health, led the enforcement team that closed down the facility after investigations revealed it was operating without a license. During the same operation, several traditional birth attendant centers and maternity homes were also found to be operating without authorization and were subsequently sealed.

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Following the discovery that these facilities were operating without licenses, they have been closed and sealed. Their operators are to report to the Department of Medical Services at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka, for further clarification and regulatory action.

Commissioner Obidike stated that this enforcement is part of the state government's continuous efforts to eradicate illegal health practices and guarantee quality healthcare delivery. He stressed that the government is committed to combating all forms of quackery within the health sector and warned that "business as usual" would no longer be tolerated for unprofessional healthcare operators.

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The enforcement exercise is part of the state government’s commitment to sanitising the health sector and ensuring that only licensed and properly regulated health facilities operate within the state.

"Following the discovery that these facilities were operating without licenses, they have been closed and sealed," Obidike announced. "Their operators are to report to the Department of Medical Services at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka, for further clarification and regulatory action." He added that the exercise aims to sanitize the health sector and ensure only licensed and properly regulated facilities operate in the state.

The commissioner also issued a stern warning to operators of unregistered hospitals, maternity homes, rehabilitation centers, and traditional birth attendant facilities, advising them to regularize their operations according to state regulations or face closure and prosecution. He urged residents to exclusively patronize registered and accredited health facilities, reaffirming the government's dedication to protecting the lives and well-being of the people of Anambra through strict enforcement of healthcare standards.

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Operators of unregistered hospitals, maternity homes, rehabilitation centres and traditional birth attendant facilities are advised to regularise their operations in line with state government regulations or risk closure and prosecution.