Rivers Govt seals hospital for operating illegally, to prosecute proprietor

The Rivers State Government took action to close down an unauthorized hospital in Port Harcourt, Divine Love Hospital, located along the Rumuodara axis of Okporo road in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Dr. Wachukwu Vincent, Director of Medical Services at the Rivers State Ministry of Health, addressed the media on Sunday, revealing that the Ministry’s team discovered a deceased patient who had undergone an unsuccessful appendectomy operation at the hospital. Dr. Vincent emphasized that the hospital did not meet the standards of a proper medical facility, let alone a maternity home, and announced that the owner would face prosecution. Investigations into the cause of the patient’s death will also be conducted.

Dr. Vincent highlighted Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s commitment to the health of Rivers people, stating that such establishments would not be tolerated under his administration. He announced the impending inauguration of an anti-quackery committee by the state government to crack down on illegal medical facilities. Dr. Vincent warned others engaged in similar activities to cease immediately, as enforcement efforts would intensify.

The doctor operating the hospital was identified as Cornelius Alozie. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State chapter, reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on medical quackery. Dr. Ebi Robinson, the state chairman of NMA, emphasized the importance of practicing in hygienic environments and announced the closure of Divine Love Hospital due to its lack of registration with the Ministry of Health. Dr. Robinson also announced the establishment of a medical vigilance unit for the public to report any irregularities in medical treatment. He warned that more hospitals would face closure if found non-compliant.

Additionally, it was reported that the doctor has been detained by the Department of State Security (DSS).