Cross River shuts down three private health clinics

The Cross River Government has closed three private health clinics in the state. This is due to claims of quackery, lack of registration, old facilities, and not meeting minimum standards.

The News Agency of Nigeria says the closures were announced by the state's ministry of health. The statement was shared with journalists in Calabar on Saturday.

Stephen Agbor from the Department of Medical and Dental Service and Dan Abubakar signed the statement.

They mentioned that the clinics were closed after a taskforce inspected them for Health Quality and Anti-Quackery.

"The inspection of these clinics in the central senatorial district followed intelligence reports about their activities.

The closed clinics include Gifted Hands Empowerment Foundation in Ikom and Ekori, Rockalive Medical Centre in Nko, and Benson Clinic in Ikom."

They explained that Gifted Hands Empowerment Foundation was operating without registration from the ministry of health. They also noted that the clinic did not have qualified staff.

Additionally, the clinic was in an unsafe clinical environment and had a record of high post-surgical death rates.

"Gifted Hands has other clinics in Ekori located in Sam Eko’s house, Ntan Ekori. It was reported that a woman from Yakurr died at the clinic shortly after surgery on June 7," the statement said.

The statement also explained that Rockalive Medical Centre in Nko was run by unqualified staff. The clinic lacked proper facilities and basic medical equipment.

The taskforce recommended closing Benson Clinic in Ikom, which is currently run by a teacher without any medical training.

"This clinic has no licensed doctor. The facility is in bad shape with no basic hospital equipment, and they are involved in many unethical medical practices," it said.