Edo shuts hospital after finding it operated unregistered for more than 10 years

Edo State authorities shut Jess Royal Hospital in Benin after discovering that it had operated for more than 10 years without registration. The facility was neither registered with the Edo State Ministry of Health nor currently registered with the Edo State Healthcare Regulation and Monitoring Agency, known as EDOHERMA.

EDOHERMA Chief Executive Officer Adesuwa Urhoghide-Edigin made the discovery during a monitoring visit to an orphanage housed in the same building. She said the hospital owner told her the facility was not registered with the state government and cited membership in the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners. Urhoghide-Edigin clarified that professional association membership does not constitute statutory registration or authorize a healthcare facility to operate in Edo State.

A follow-up inspection led by EDOHERMA Director of Medical Services Peter Evbuomwan found several additional deficiencies. The agency cited poor infection prevention and control, cobwebs on ceilings and walls, rusted and deteriorated ward equipment, badly damaged mattresses, and no evidence of routine fumigation or pest control.

The inspection also found no valid, serviceable fire extinguisher, emergency preparedness plan or established referral system. The agency said the problems raised serious concerns about patient safety and the hospital’s ability to respond to emergencies. The operator reportedly told inspectors that health challenges had prevented completion of the registration process, but EDOHERMA said the facility still had to meet statutory requirements while operating.

The hospital must stop all medical operations immediately. EDOHERMA gave it two weeks to begin the official registration process and correct its infrastructure, environmental, equipment and health-standard deficiencies. The agency said it would conduct a follow-up inspection and would not allow the hospital to reopen until it satisfactorily met the applicable requirements.

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The inspection also revealed poor infection prevention and control practices, cobwebs on ceilings and walls, rusted and deteriorated ward equipment, badly damaged mattresses and a lack of evidence of routine fumigation or pest control.