For falling short of the law as it concerns registration and operations of private healthcare facilities, Delta State government has sealed 18 facilities.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme made the disclosure on Tuesday in Warri during the monitoring and inspection visit of the officials of the ministry in company of security personnel.
Facilities monitored are hospitals, clinics, maternity homes, laboratories, eye clinics and traditional birth attendant homes.
Onojaeme said premises sealed were not registered to operate as private healthcare facilities by the ministry.
He said others defaulted in payment of annual renewal fees, while some facilities were employing and training auxiliary nurses, among other offences.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Medical Services and Training, Dr. Mathew Anibor, 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 ongoing 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,” he said.
The Commissioner used the medium to advise healthcare professionals to do the needful by registering their facilities with the ministry of health.
He also urged residents to report any facility which they suspect was involved in unwholesome practices.
Penalty for the 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.
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