The Anambra State Government has arrested a 47-year-old woman, Onyinyechi Charles, for allegedly operating an illegal hospital and performing surgical procedures without recognised medical qualifications.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, disclosed this while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Awka.
Obidike said the suspect allegedly operated an unregistered traditional birth attendant facility in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area, where she carried out unauthorised medical procedures.
According to him, investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly performed caesarean sections, conducted normal vaginal deliveries and carried out other surgical operations without the required professional training or authorisation.
He added that the facility had also been linked to reported medical complications and fatalities.
“The arrest followed investigations launched by the Ministry of Health as part of the state government’s campaign against quackery and illegal medical practice,” Obidike said.
“The suspect admitted during interrogation that she had been carrying out caesarean sections, normal deliveries and other surgical procedures without the required medical or surgical qualifications.
“She was previously known as an ‘Eze Nwanyi’ before later becoming a church minister and presenting herself as a surgeon.”
The commissioner said officials from the Ministry of Health, accompanied by the Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Mr Ifeanyi Chinweze, and security personnel, inspected the facility during the operation.
He said surgical instruments and other medical equipment allegedly used for the unauthorised procedures were recovered from the premises.
According to him, officials also discovered what appeared to be a shrine and an altar within the facility.
Obidike said the premises had been sealed pending the conclusion of investigations and legal proceedings, while the suspect would be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.
He described the discovery as disturbing and a serious threat to public health, stressing that the administration of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo would not tolerate unqualified individuals endangering lives under the guise of providing healthcare.
He urged residents, particularly pregnant women, to seek treatment only from government-approved hospitals and duly registered healthcare providers.
The commissioner said the Ministry of Health would continue surveillance and enforcement operations across the state to identify, shut down and prosecute illegal healthcare facilities and unqualified medical practitioners.
“The government remains committed to sanitising the health sector and ensuring that only licensed and qualified healthcare professionals provide medical and surgical services in Anambra.
“Anyone found violating the law will face the full weight of legal sanctions,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Mr Ifeanyi Chinweze, commended the Ministry of Health and security agencies for uncovering the alleged illegal medical operation.
He assured residents of the council’s continued support for efforts to eliminate quackery and other unlawful practices that threaten public health.
Chinweze also urged members of the public to report suspected illegal health facilities and patronise only accredited hospitals. (NAN)
