The Edo State Healthcare Regulation and Monitoring Agency has shut down a hospital in Benin City after discovering that it had operated for more than a decade without statutory registration.
The facility, Jess Royal Hospital, was found not to be registered with either the Edo State Ministry of Health or the Edo State Healthcare Regulation and Monitoring Agency, known as EDOHERMA.
The Punch reported that the agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Adesuwa Urhoghide-Edigin, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, explaining that the discovery was made during a monitoring exercise at an orphanage housed in the same building as the hospital.
According to her, she spoke with the owner of the hospital during the visit and was informed that the facility had never been registered with the state government.
The owner reportedly claimed membership of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners.
However, Urhoghide-Edigin explained that membership of the association was not a substitute for statutory registration and did not grant approval to operate a healthcare facility in Edo State.
She consequently directed EDOHERMA’s Medical Services Department to carry out a comprehensive inspection of the hospital.
The inspection, headed by the Director of Medical Services, Dr Peter Evbuomwan, uncovered several deficiencies at the facility.
The operator reportedly told the inspection team that health challenges had made it difficult for him to complete the registration process.
The agency, however, maintained that the hospital was still required to comply with all statutory conditions for continued operation, particularly after being in service for several years.
The inspection team documented a number of concerns relating to hygiene, infection control, equipment and emergency preparedness.
“The inspection also revealed poor infection prevention and control practices, cobwebs on ceilings and walls, rusted and deteriorated ward equipment, badly damaged mattresses and a lack of evidence of routine fumigation or pest control.
“The hospital was also found to have no valid and serviceable fire extinguisher, emergency preparedness plan or established referral system,” the statement read.
EDOHERMA said the conditions posed significant risks to patients and raised concerns about the hospital’s ability to handle emergencies effectively.
Following the findings, the agency ordered the immediate suspension of all medical activities at the facility.
The hospital was given two weeks to commence its formal registration with EDOHERMA and address the identified deficiencies involving its infrastructure, environment, equipment and compliance with healthcare standards.
The agency said another inspection would be conducted to assess the facility’s level of compliance.
It warned that the hospital would remain closed and would not be permitted to resume medical services until it had satisfactorily fulfilled all applicable regulatory requirements.
Urhoghide-Edigin reiterated that protecting patients remained EDOHERMA’s primary responsibility, stressing that healthcare facilities in the state would not be permitted to disregard prescribed safety, sanitary and operational standards.
The agency also cautioned owners and operators of private hospitals and clinics across Edo State that belonging to the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners does not amount to government approval to operate.
According to EDOHERMA, all healthcare facilities must obtain statutory registration to ensure that medical services are delivered in suitable environments, within approved areas of practice and by appropriately qualified personnel.
