The Ogun State Government has sealed 10 unapproved medical facilities as well as six individuals apprehended for quackery and handed over to the police. in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the State
Penpushing reports that the Commissioner of Health, Dr Tommy Coker who led other officials of the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders in the health sector to carry out the operations explained that this followed a tip off of quacks in the council area.
The Commissioner affirmed that the goal of the present administration was to safeguard the lives of innocent residents who could become victims in the hands of the untrained practitioners, emphasizing that government cannot fold its arm to the illegality
Penpushing further reports that she emphasized that the government would no longer tolerate activities of quacks as this has severe consequences for those residing in the state, particularly those in border areas between Lagos and Ogun state, adding that the inspection of facilities would continue across the State.
‘This government, as you must have seen in the past few years, has prioritized the well-being of all residents. While we are trying to make healthcare accessible to our people, we are also conscious of the need to standardize the medical profession in the State. We are aware of the proliferation of quacks here and have declared zero tolerance for them”, she stated
‘The truth is that some of the facilities we visited today were opened by Doctors and nurses who don’t oversee them. We visited diagnostic centers, laboratory facilities, and alternative medicine centers that are operating outside their scope by administering intravenous drugs and IV fluids among other things. We have apprehended them and handed them over to the police for prosecution’, Coker said.
Penpushing also reports that she warned that medical practitioners who are not duly registered or operating outside the scope of their permit would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The Commissioner urged all relevant professional associations in the state to join hands with government to rid the sector of all illegalities and educate their members to get the right licenses to operate their private medical facilities.
The Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State Branch, Dr. Azim Ashimi, in his remarks described the influx of quacks in the state and environs as disheartening, leading to needless loss of innocent lives.
Penpushing reports that Ashimi said his association had resolved to independently work towards dealing with those who pretend to be Doctors and are either not trained or licensed to treat people, while also collaborating with the state government through the Ministry of Health to address this menace.
Meanwhile, others in the team to carry out the operations include Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Association of General Private Nursing Practitioners (AGPNP), and Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP).
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