Three hospitals shut in Enugu over alleged illegal operations

THREE hospitals have been closed down in Enugu State by the State Ministry of Health for alleged illegal operations.

Disclosing this to newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday, the State chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Dr. Ike Okwuesili gave the names of the affected hospitals as: Chimamanda Hospital Umuadogwa, Umuida Enugu Ezike in Igboeze North Local Government Area of the state, Our Testimony hospital Ibagwa-Aka in Igboeze South Local government area and Wellcare Newmerit clinics at Coal Camp Extension in Enugu metropolis.

While Our Testimony hospital is run by one Ibuchukwu Asogwa, a self-styled Homeopath who was not licensed to practice Homeopathic remedies in Nigeria since he was not registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Wellcare Newmerit clinics at Coal Camp Extension is operated run by one Olabisi Philip Olukolade and Mrs. Chinonso Philips. The owner of the Chimamanda hospital was yet to be ascertained at the time of going to press.

Dr. Okwuesili further said, “Olabisi Philips is a quack who parades a forged medical degree certificate, a forged certificate of additional registration and a forged certificate as a fellow of the West Africa College of Surgeon (Obstetrics and Gynecologists).

“Both certificates have been declared not authentic by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and West African College of Surgeons. The culprit is currently on the run and the hospital sealed.”

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Okwusili said the enforcement was executed by the state ministry of health with the security agencies, following NMA alert on the development, adding that the association’s anti-quackery Committee is currently indexing all private facilities in the state to avoid unwholesome practices.

“It is our wish that the continued collaboration with the State Ministry of Health will continue in the interest of the general public, while we call on the law enforcement agencies to double efforts in apprehending the perpetrators for prosecution for forgery and or criminal practices.

“It is sad that some individuals and groups have decided to peddle medical quackery in the state thereby negating the efforts of the State Government in ensuring sustainable health care delivery as the Governor has accented to the State Health Sector Reform Law in a bold move last year,” he added.