Rivers State Government is carrying out an anti-quackery operation that shuts down multiple health facilities and detains seven suspects. Officials say the crackdown targets alleged medical quackery, child trafficking and related illegal practices, following investigations supported by security agencies and information from the public. The state says at least five hospitals and one patent medicine store have been sealed across Rivers State. Among the named facilities is EL DONA Hospital in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, where the proprietor is accused of deceiving mothers by claiming their babies died during childbirth, then exchanging infants and selling surviving babies. Other affected facilities include PLARIV Hospital and Good Shepherd Hospital in Omoku, Blessed GoodNews Clinic and ESTATE Clinic in Obio/Akpor, and a patent medicine store in Ndele, Emohua Local Government Area.
The state also reports a case involving a 20-year-old girl who allegedly died after being injected by an operator without training. Investigators further allege that PLARIV Hospital is run by a non-medical practitioner and that it operated an unapproved auxiliary nurse training school, with more than 60 trainees reportedly found on site. Authorities indicate suspects will face prosecution and warn that free medical outreach by hospitals, NGOs or religious bodies requires approval from the Ministry of Health.
