By Oso Abidemi
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has ordered a full crackdown on unregistered hospitals and quack medical personnel operating in the Federal Capital Territory.
The directive comes after a pregnant woman died following a caesarean section at an unregistered private facility in Durumi, Abuja.
Lere Olayinka, the minister’s media aide, said on Saturday that Wike warned that anyone operating an illegal facility or working in an unregistered health establishment will be arrested and prosecuted.
The minister expressed deep concern that, despite free registration for pregnant women under the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme, many still turn to unsafe facilities.
“In the FCT, vulnerable persons, including pregnant women, are enrolled for free in the FHIS. This grants them access to a range of services via primary health care centres.
“In line with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the FCTA’s zero tolerance for maternal mortality, several hospitals such as those in Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Abaji and Kuje have been designated as comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care centres.
“These facilities also provide free caesarean sections,” Olayinka said.
He recalled that on Friday, 35-year-old Chekwube Chinagorom was brought dead to Asokoro District Hospital following a caesarean section at a Durumi hospital noted for its substandard operations.
Although her baby was delivered alive and later referred to Asokoro District Hospital for care, the incident has sparked outrage.
An investigation by the Private Health Establishments Registration and Monitoring Committee revealed that the Durumi facility was not duly registered.
At the time of inspection, only one staff member, Mr Simon Godiya, a junior community health extension worker, was present.
Godiya reported that the surgical procedure was performed by one Murtala Jumma alongside an unidentified colleague, with all attempts to contact Jumma via phone failing.
Olayinka said that the PHERMC team, accompanied by Nigeria Police officers from the Durumi Divisional Headquarters, responded promptly to the scene. The case has now been handed over to the police for further investigation.
Wike’s order underscores his resolve to eliminate unsafe medical practices in the FCT and protect vulnerable citizens from the dangers posed by illegal health facilities.
