15 private hospitals sealed off in Ondo, operators arrested over quackery

By HAKEEM GBADAMOSI, Akure

About 15 operators of private hospitals have been arrested in Ondo State by the officials of the State Ministry of Health for contravening the laws guiding the establishment of hospitals in the state.

Specifically, the suspects were alleged to be violating the stipulated rules and regulations guiding the operation of health facilities in the state.

Apart from the arrest of the owners of the private hospitals, all the facilities situated in the Ondo South Senatorial District of the state were said to be operating unethically while their hospitals were also sealed off.

The offenders were arrested during the inspection by the monitoring and enforcement team of the Department of Hospital Services of the Ministry of Health who visited the affected health facilities in the senatorial district.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs Folukemi Aladenola, who disclosed this stated that the exercise was geared towards enhancing qualitative healthcare delivery in the state in order to eradicate quackery and all forms of sharp practices in the health sector.

According to her, the government team visited 36 medical clinics located in Ore, Odigbo, Okitipupa, Ilutitun, and Iju-Odo among others, during the inspection while the arrest was effected.

She explained that the operators of the affected facilities were arrested and detained at the police station, saying the ministry was determined to ensure the realisation of the core agenda of the present administration in the state in the health sector as encapsulated in its 8-point development agenda code-named ‘REDEEMED ‘which are efficient service delivery and effective healthcare and social welfare services.

Aladenola said ” Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu -led administration will continue to prioritise the health of the citizenry and will not compromise on the required standard in the health sector.

“The (sealed) facilities found to have violated the stipulated rules and regulations would remain sealed until the operators of such facilities are ready to comply.”

The leader of the monitoring team and Director, Hospital Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr Ayodele Adelusi, said all the sealed facilities will not be re-opened until they fulfil all the requirements expected.

He disclosed that the security agents would be on the ground to ensure that the facilities remain closed. (Nigerian Tribune)