Anambra shut down hospitals for operating with fake licenses

The Anambra State Ministry of Health has shut down three hospitals that were using phoney licences and dubious medical personnel.

On Wednesday, the team was brought to the facilities in Alor, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state, by the head of the ministry’s medical services department, Dr. Chukwulobelu Ugochukwu.

In order to receive quality healthcare, Ugochukwu advised citizens not to use such illegal facilities but rather to go to government general hospitals.

He continued, emphasising that the shutdown had no impact on in-patients, that the hospitals had been penalised for hiring unlicensed medical workers.

He stated, “According to Health management, the hospitals were closed by the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Team for operating without a licence, with a fake licence, with unqualified employees, or in an unclean environment.

Additionally, we found certain unlicensed healthcare professionals who treat patients and carry out medical procedures before leaving the country when problems emerge.

“Therefore, we urge local stakeholders, religious organisations, and people to take an interest in local activities, particularly those relating to health.

To help save millions of lives and support the state’s health sector, they should also report to the ministry any suspected quackery-related facilities or businesses.

He gave more alarming examples of unlicensed healthcare providers who, when faced with difficulties, forsake their patients and move to other nations.

Insisting that hospitals in the state would always be subject to regulatory scrutiny, Ugochukwu questioned why anybody would choose to risk human lives for financial gain.