MAKURDI: The Benue State Ministry for Health and Human Services, last weekend sealed off, two health facilities in the state. They are St John's Hospital, Otukpo, in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) and St. Peter and Paul Community Health Centre and Maternity in Lessel, Ushongo LGA of the state.
The facilities which were sealed off on the orders of the Commissioner in the Ministry, Dr Paul Ejeh Ogwuche, noted that the facility was closed down as part of the state government's campaign against quackery and substandard medical practice in the state.
According to the commissioner, he took the decision when the Ministry's enforcement team led by the Director, Medical Services, Dr. Agbadu Iorbee Joshua, and his team, on his directive inspected the hospitals and discovered that they were not observing the approved treatment protocols.
Dr Agbadu, who was accompanied by the Chairman of the Anti-Quackery Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Alex Iorbo, and the Desk Officers for Otukpo and Gboko LGAs, made the discoveries while on routine field monitoring across Otukpo and its environs.
Dr Ogwuche said, "During the inspection of St. John's hospital Otukpo, the team found the facility operating in a substandard and unsafe environment and also failing to follow approved treatment protocols.
"This included a reported case of the removal of both breasts of a patient allegedly carried out on the 25th of November without adherence to established clinical guidelines.
"The hospital was immediately sealed off, and the Medical Superintendent was issued a formal query and directed to report to the Ministry for further investigation."
Earlier, the Ministry shut down St. Peter and Paul Community Health Centre and Maternity in Lessel, Usongo LGA, over what it described as "gross professional misconduct, underscoring government's sustained efforts to sanitize the health sector.
Reaffirming the commitment of the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia, in ensuring safe, ethical, and high-quality healthcare services for all residents of the state, Dr Ogwuche, warned that government would not hesitate to take decisive action against any facility found wanting and endangering the lives of patient.
He therefore urged healthcare workers in the state to maintain strict adherence to professional standards or face regulatory consequences.