Anokwuru Uche Alexis|1 April 2019
The Cross River State Government in collaboration with the State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) recently uncovered and sealed an illegal health facility in Ugaga, Yala LGA of the State.
The hospital, Divine Favour Clinic and Maternity Center, is being ran by a certain lady posing as the Nurse in charge, admits patients, carries out lab tests and treats patients, while a yet to be identified 'Doctor' comes all the way from Benue State to do clinic rounds at the Center periodically.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong, has demanded the facility be remained sealed and ordered immediate clamp down of facilities such as this along with their health workers to stem the menace of quackery in the State.
'On the spot assessment of the facility revealed deplorable and substandard state of the center, two poorly managed patients were seen with one found with fresh surgical abdominal scars. Both patients were subsequently referred to General Hospital, Ogoja, as they requested.
We also confirmed they've been carrying out surgeries illegally with fatal or near fatal sequelae on the unsuspecting clients, but we've closed down the place, arrested the woman and some of the equipment in the facility has also been confiscated and handed over to the police as well.' – Dr. Inyang Asibong
Further interrogation revealed that the lady, Mrs. Rosemary Erimma Okwoche, a self-acclaimed Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) also assists the purported 'Doctor' to carry out surgeries on the unsuspecting clients.
The State Government has also warned citizens to avoid patronizing healthcare vendors and healthcare fair without the approval of the Ministry of Health, this is with regards to the cancelled 'Calabar Health Fair' which was organized by Kedi Healthcare without proper documentation from the Ministry.
