The Enugu State Government has shut down some private health facilities in Enugu South Local Government Area over illegal operations and violations of medical standards.
The facilities were sealed during an inspection exercise conducted by officials of the state Ministry of Health across approximately 12 private healthcare centres in the council area.
The exercise, according to a statement issued by the ministry on Monday, was led by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, alongside a team of directors headed by the Director of Medical Services, Dr Chinyere Ezeudu.
Ezeudu explained that the inspection was aimed at assessing the facilities’ operational standards, confirming their registration status and ensuring compliance with relevant healthcare regulations.
She 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.”
Expressing concern over the findings, she described the violations discovered during the exercise as a danger to public health.
“The flagrant disregard for healthcare regulations and professional standards is unacceptable and a serious threat to public health,” she said.
She added, “The affected facilities have been sealed and directed to immediately discontinue their operations.”
The ministry said the action was intended to protect residents from poor-quality healthcare services, unqualified practitioners and other medical activities that could put patients’ lives at risk.
Ugwu reaffirmed the state government’s commitment, under Governor Peter Mbah, to ensuring quality healthcare delivery through effective regulation, monitoring and enforcement of professional standards.
He warned that the government would not condone illegal medical operations or practices that threaten the safety of patients.
“The government will not tolerate illegal medical operations, professional misconduct or any practice that compromises patient safety,” he said.
The commissioner also urged private healthcare providers across the state to obtain the necessary registration and licences and ensure that their operations remained within the scope of services approved for their facilities.
“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 stressed that the ministry would continue its inspection and enforcement activities to prevent unauthorised operators from providing healthcare services to residents.
“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,” he added.
