By Ifunanya Obeme-Ndukwe

The Rivers State Anti-Quackery Committee has sealed and revoked the registration license of a clinic, located on Captain Amangala Street in Borokiri, Port Harcourt.

The action was taken by the Committee, led by the Director of Medical Services, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, following an unscheduled inspection on Monday, prompted by reports of the death of one Mrs. Victoria Paris.

Mrs. Paris reportedly died after undergoing a caesarean section at the facility, and was allegedly refused blood transfusion by the medical personnel based on religious beliefs.

In a statement signed by Dr. Hope Avundaa on behalf of the Rivers State Interprofessional Anti-Quackery Committee, it was revealed that the facility operated from a three-bedroom apartment converted into a six-bed maternity home run by one Comfort Etuk.

According to the Committee, inspections revealed that the clinic had no licensed nurse on site and was functioning beyond its approved scope, including performing surgical procedures in a poorly equipped environment.

The statement added that the facility also lacked a standard sterilization unit and failed to meet Infection Prevention and Control, IPC, standards.

The Committee has summoned all health workers, including doctors affiliated with the facility, to appear before the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, panel.

Meanwhile, the state chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Diamond Tamunokuro, condemned the unethical practices of medical doctors working in substandard maternity homes, describing such affiliations as highly unprofessional and dangerous.

The statement added, “This exercise is a continuation of the anti-quackery mandate of the Rivers State Ministry of Health and the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State and other Healthcare Affiliate Associations in the State.”