18th April, 2023
By Jethro Ibileke
Edo state government has sealed a private medical facility, Selaf Specialist Hospital, in Uromi, over alleged training and inducting of quack nurses, otherwise known as auxiliary nurses.
The operation was led by the Director of Medical Services and the Director of Nursing Services in the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Edward Aisowieren and Mrs. Patricia Osazuwa respectively.
Addressing journalists, Aisowieren disclosed that the health facility was sealed-off as part of ongoing enforcement operations to regulate and sanitize the healthcare system and rid it of quacks in Edo State.
According to him, the hospital was shut down indefinitely for offences ranging from operating without registration, engaging unqualified personnel, training of quacks and non-compliance with regulatory standards.
He said: “We recently got information that this facility has been carrying out training and induction of quack nurses.
“Upon our investigation, we discovered that the facility, Selaf Specialist Hospital, is not registered with the Ministry of Health. They claim they are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The proprietor of the facility has been interrogated, and he revealed that they have been operating for about two and a half years.”
The Director of Medical Services sued for synergy by the people to enable it rid it of illegal medical facilities from Edo state.
“We are using this medium to appeal to Edo people that it’s no longer business as usual. There are a number of these facilities running in the state that are not legally registered with the Ministry of Health.
“Some of these facilities engage unqualified persons to carry out their activities. We have developed standards in the Ministry for all categories of health facilities-clinics, hospitals, medical centres, diagnostic centres, nursing homes and maternity, among others.”
He further noted, “In no distant time our registration portal will go live where we will upload these guidelines for persons that are interested in running private facilities to familiarise themselves with the requirements.
“For now, this facility will be sealed permanently. The owner of this facility will be apprehended and handed over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution.”
He therefore appealed to Edo people to help the government as it steps up efforts to strengthen and rejig the healthcare system.
“We cannot do this job alone. We request that you report to the Ministry of Health anything you see or suspect to be wrong.
“We are relying on your support to curtail the activities of these unscrupulous elements who are putting our lives in danger for their selfish gains,” Aisowieren said.