12 hospitals and clinics believed to be operating illegally across Buruku, Ushongo, and Kwande Local Government Areas of Benue State have been shut down by the Ministry of Health and Human Services in its ongoing crackdown on quack health operators.
The enforcement exercise was led by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Beatrice Tsavmbu, alongside top officials, including the Director of Medical Services, Agbadu Joshua; Director of Public Health, Esther Menger; and Director of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Anyebe Boniface.
In Buruku LGA, Ella Community Health Centre, Tyowanye, and St. William Community Health Centre, Abwa, were shut down.
The team also closed De Poloo Community Health Centre, Uli Dispensary, City Community Health Centre, and Tomkenti Community Health Centre in Ushongo LGA.
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In Kwande LGA, the Ministry sealed Luter Clinic and Maternity in Ikyogen following a petition by community leaders alleging the facility was harvesting lives like wildfire.
Others sealed include Akumator Tsaha Community Health Centre where a woman recently died after delivering twins, Primary Health Centre, Adagi, Ahobee Memorial Hospital, Divine Community Health Centre, and Tor Chibee Community Health Centre.
The facilities were closed over offenses ranging from lack of operational licenses to poor sanitary conditions and non-compliance with government regulations.
Beatrice Tsavmbu, expressed deep concern over the proliferation of such illegal health facilities and warned the public that patronizing them is tantamount to embarking on a suicide mission.
She said the ministry will not relent until quackery is completely flushed out of Benue’s health system.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
