The Delta State Government has sealed up 18 facilities for falling short of the law as regards registration and operations of Private Healthcare Facilities in the State.
The action is part of measures to sanitize the activities of Private Healthcare Facilities in the State
Joseph Onojaeme, Commissioner for Health, made the statement in Warri on Tuesday during the monitoring and inspection visit to the Officials of the Ministry in company of Security personnel.
The Commissioner, who was represented by Mathew Anibor, the Deputy Director, Medical Services and Training, said no person or company has the right to operate a Private Healthcare facility unless such a facility has been duly registered by the Ministry as provided by the Private Healthcare Facilities Law of May, 2019.
“This exercise is on-going as more unscheduled visits will be made to other registered facilities to ascertain their status with respect to the annual renewal of fees.
“Yesterday we were in Ughelli and today we are working in Warri and its environs and intend to move to Sapele, Oghara, Agbor, Asaba among other major towns in the State not excluding the rural areas.
“Premises sealed are as a result of the facilities not registered to operate as private healthcare facility by the Ministry, defaulters of payment of annual renewal fees as well as those facilities employing and training auxiliary nurses among other offences”, the Commissioner said.
The commissioner used the medium to advise Healthcare professionals to do the needful by registering their facilities with the Ministry of Health and also urged residents to report any facilities which they suspect is involved in unwholesome practices.
Facilities monitored included Hospitals, Clinics, Maternity homes, Laboratories, Eye Clinics, and Traditional Birth Attendant homes.
Penalty for these offences include terms of imprisonment for a period of not less than six months but not exceeding one year or to a fine up to N5m.
