Benue Govt Shutdown Two Hospitals Over Professional Misconduct, Unsafe Environment

From Gabriel Agbo, Makurdi 

The Benue State Government has shutdown two private hospitals over gross professional misconduct and engaging substandard medical practice

The affected hospitals includes; St. John’s Hospital in Otukpo and St. Peter and Paul Community Health Centre and Maternity in Lessel, Ushongo Local Government areas respectively.

The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, who disclosed this to newsmen on Saturday in Makurdi, stated hat the moves was part of government’s intensified campaign against quackery and substandard medical practice in the State.

He explained that  the Ministry's enforcement team led by the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Agbadu Iorbee Joshua under his directive and support from the Chairman of the Anti-Quackery Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Alex Tyover Iorbo, and Desk Officers for Otukpo and Gboko LGAs carried out routine field monitoring across Otukpo and its environs.

According to him, during their inspection visit to St. John’s Hospital Otukpo, it was discovered that the facility has been operating in a substandard and unsafe environment and also failing to follow approved treatment protocols.

 He revealed that there was  alleged report case of  removal of  both breasts of a patient which was carried out on the 25th of November without adherence to established clinical guidelines, a development he said, prompted the ministry to immediately shutdown the hospital, and issued a query to the Medical Superintendent  to allow for further investigations.

"The Ministry had earlier shut down St. Peter and Paul Community Health Centre and Maternity in Lessel, Ushongo Local Government, over gross professional misconduct, underscoring the government’s sustained effort to sanitize the health sector.

"I want to reaffirm the commitment of our governor, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia  towards ensuring safe, ethical, and high-quality healthcare services for people of the State", Dr. Ogwuche stated. 

While reiterating that government will not hesitate to take drastic action against any health facility found endangering patient lives, the Commissioner warned all healthcare workers to maintain strict professional standards or face regulatory consequences.