Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Rivers State Government has shut down 21 health facilities and arrested three persons as part of an enforcement campaign against unregistered medical facilities and substandard healthcare practices across the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health and Chairman of the State Anti-Quackery Committee, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this on Monday, October 5, 2026, during the ministry’s third-quarter briefing in Port Harcourt.
Wachukwu said the enforcement exercise targeted facilities in Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Port Harcourt, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Etche Local Government Areas.
According to him, the 21 facilities comprised eight hospitals, five maternity facilities and eight diagnostic centres. Nineteen of them were found to be operating without registration and below the minimum standards prescribed by the state Ministry of Health.
He added that another registered facility was found to be operating below the required standard, including having no licensed doctor or nurse present during inspection.
The ministry said the enforcement followed surveillance reports indicating that more than 150 health facilities across the state were operating without registration or proper regulatory supervision.
Wachukwu also disclosed that only about 20 per cent of registered facilities comply with the mandatory annual inspection and renewal of their Certificates of Standards, prompting the ministry to intensify its regulatory activities.
Among the facilities sealed were Manda Hospital in Elelenwo, Vasty Clinic in Omoku, Danny Clinic and Daba Clinic in Port Harcourt, Kambel Hospital in Abara-Etche, and Havilla, Golden Era and Ola-Oluwa hospitals in the Igwuruta area.
The enforcement operation also uncovered an allegation of suspected child trafficking involving Manda Clinic and Maternity in Elelenwo.
Wachukwu said the ministry carried out a joint operation with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons following information linking the facility to alleged child-trafficking activities.
He said a Liberian national had reportedly disclosed that three children were allegedly procured from the facility within one month. The operators were subsequently arrested by NAPTIP, while the facility was sealed by the Ministry of Health.
Another facility, Havilla Hospital in Igwuruta, was reportedly found operating without registration. Its operator allegedly claimed to have received medical training in Ukraine but did not have a licence from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
The ministry said the operator was arrested and would be referred to the appropriate regulatory authority for further action.
Ola-Oluwa Medical Centre in Igwuruta was also sealed after officials reportedly found that its operator, identified as Sunday Ogundele, allegedly had no medical training or professional licence. He was arrested and handed over to the police for alleged impersonation.
The ministry said the remaining facilities were sealed for failing to meet the minimum requirements under the Rivers State Facility Registration Act No. 2 of 2019.
Wachukwu said the government would continue enforcing health regulations and urged residents to seek treatment only from properly registered facilities.
He also advised registered healthcare providers to display their Certificates of Standards prominently at their facilities, allowing members of the public to verify whether they are operating under the required regulatory approval.
The Rivers State Government said the enforcement campaign would continue, with authorities expected to take action against facilities that fail to register, undergo mandatory inspection or meet the required standards.
The allegations involving the arrested individuals and the facilities remain subject to investigation and due legal process.
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