The Rivers State Government has warned religious bodies and organisations against carrying out any form of medical outreach without the approval of the State Ministry of Health.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, handed down the warning during a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday.
This is as Dr Oreh disclosed that two hospitals and a spa in the state have been sealed for operating without registration and unprofessional conduct.
She expressed dismay that despite previous calls on any group or organisation planning medical outreach anywhere. (In health facilities or communities) to notify the ministry for written approval, but some refused to heed the call.
The commissioner said, “So this briefing is to put the general public on notice that no Non-Governmental Organization, no private or corporate body, no Church, Mosque or religious group, individual, philanthropist, private Hospital or any entity whatsoever should organise any so-called free or even paid medical outreach without written permission from the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
“We have received information from different quarters about outreaches that we had no idea about here formally at the State Ministry of Health.
“It once again brings me to the vulnerability of people who access healthcare services of any kind.”
She added, “This is where we take this charge of the Ministry very seriously. And we are putting the public on notice that please if you get wind of any free medical outreach, ask the right questions. Do they have permission from the Ministry of Health to conduct such outreaches?
On the sealed facilities, she said the two hospitals engaged unqualified personnel to perform surgical services. At the same time, the Spa carried out body part enlargement services without the requisite training and qualification.
