Enugu seals illegal private hospitals, warns against unsafe practices

The Enugu State Ministry of Health has sealed some private health facilities in Enugu South Local Government Area for operating illegally and engaging in unacceptable medical practices.

The facilities were sealed during an on-the-spot inspection and monitoring exercise across about 12 private health facilities in the council area.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Ministry of Health, the exercise was led by the Commissioner, Prof. George Ugwu, and carried out by a team of directors from the ministry led by the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Chinyere Ezeudu.

Ezeudu said: “We visited about 12 private health facilities to assess their operational standards, verify their registration status and ensure compliance with established healthcare regulations and professional guidelines.”

She said the team was disappointed by what it found. “The flagrant disregard for healthcare regulations and professional standards is unacceptable and a serious threat to public health,” she said.

“The affected facilities have been sealed and directed to immediately discontinue their operations,” Ezeudu added.

The ministry said the enforcement action was necessary to protect residents from substandard healthcare services, unqualified medical practices and other activities capable of endangering human lives.

Ugwu reiterated the commitment of the Enugu State Government under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of residents through effective regulation, quality assurance and strict monitoring of healthcare facilities across the state.

He said: “The government will not tolerate illegal medical operations, professional misconduct or any practice that compromises patient safety.”

The commissioner warned private healthcare operators to ensure that their facilities are duly registered, appropriately licensed and operated within the scope of their approved services.

“Private healthcare operators must ensure that their facilities are duly registered, appropriately licensed and operated within the scope of their approved services,” he said.

Ugwu added: “We will sustain our monitoring and enforcement exercises to ensure that only qualified and authorised healthcare providers deliver services to the people of Enugu State.”