The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered a total clampdown on unregistered hospitals and quack medical practitioners operating in Abuja.
Wike directed that anyone found operating or working in unlicensed health facilities should be arrested and prosecuted.
His directive followed the death of a pregnant woman at a private facility, Afolmi Hospital in Durumi, after a caesarean section.
The Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, described the incident as unfortunate.
He noted that despite the availability of free healthcare under the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme, many pregnant women still patronise unregistered clinics.
“In the FCT, vulnerable persons, including pregnant women, are entitled to free enrolment into the FHIS, granting them access to services at Primary Health Care Centres covered under the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services,” Olayinka said.
He noted that despite the availability of free healthcare under the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme, many pregnant women still patronise unregistered clinics.
“In the FCT, vulnerable persons, including pregnant women, are entitled to free enrolment into the FHIS, granting them access to services at Primary Health Care Centres covered under the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services,” Olayinka said.
He added that in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, several general hospitals, including Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Abaji, and Kuje, have been designated as Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care Centres, offering free caesarean sections.
“Our pregnant women are once again urged to take advantage of these services and avoid unlicensed medical personnel and facilities,” he said.
Providing updates on the Durumi incident, Olayinka revealed that an investigation by the Private Health Establishments Registration and Monitoring Committee showed that Afolmi Hospital was not duly registered.
During an inspection, the only staff member present was Mr Simon Elisha Godiya, who identified himself as a Junior Community Health Extension Worker. Godiya told investigators that the surgery was performed by one Murtala Jumma, along with another unidentified individual. Attempts to contact Jumma were unsuccessful.
Olayinka said officers from the Durumi Divisional Police Headquarters also visited the facility, and the matter was formally handed over to the police for further investigation.
“The police are now working to identify those involved in the surgery, verify their qualifications, and determine the circumstances that led to the death of the late Chekwube Chinagorom,” he said.
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