The Rivers State Government in Nigeria has issued a stern warning to religious organisations against conducting medical outreach programmes without approval from the State Ministry of Health.
Dr Adaeze Oreh, the State Commissioner for Health, delivered the caution during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Monday. She expressed frustration that some groups had disregarded previous calls to notify the ministry and obtain written permission for such activities.
“No non-governmental organisation, private or corporate body, church, mosque or religious group, individual, philanthropist, private hospital or any entity whatsoever should organise any so-called free or even paid medical outreach without written permission from the Rivers State Ministry of Health,” Dr Oreh stated.
The commissioner also revealed that two hospitals and a spa in the state had been closed for operating without registration and engaging in unprofessional conduct. The hospitals were found to be using unqualified personnel for surgical procedures, while the spa was offering body enhancement services without proper qualifications.
“For most of the surgical procedures they are using unqualified personnel to deliver surgical services. Now those are recipes for disaster. And so for everyone who works in such facilities, their lives are at risk,” Dr Oreh explained.
Regarding the spa, she said: “The Proprietor is an Engineer with a so-called aesthetic certification that is neither recognised nor can be identified but advertising and promoting via social media and enticing an unsuspecting public to their facility.”
Dr Oreh emphasised the importance of public vigilance, urging citizens to question the legitimacy of medical outreach programmes. “If you get wind of any free medical outreach, ask the right questions. Do they have permission from the Ministry of Health to conduct such outreaches?” she advised.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has pledged support for the government’s efforts. Dr Diamond Tamunokuro, the State Chairman of the NMA, assured that the association would not protect members involved in malpractice.
“Let me say this very clearly, the NMA will never protect any of our members that is involved in quackery,” Dr Tamunokuro stated. “We have our internal mechanisms of handling such issues. So when they detect anyone involved in that we send that person to our disciplinary committee.”
The crackdown on unauthorised medical practices underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring professional standards in healthcare delivery across Rivers State, Nigeria.
