The Rivers State Ministry of Health has sealed 21 health facilities and arrested three persons during a crackdown on alleged quackery and regulatory violations.
Speaking at a briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and Chairman of the Anti-Quackery Committee, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, disclosed this during the ministry’s third-quarter 2026 briefing in Port Harcourt.
He said the affected facilities comprised eight hospitals, five maternity centres and eight diagnostic centres across Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre and Etche local government areas.
According to Wachukwu, the enforcement followed reports that more than 150 health facilities were operating without registration or proper supervision by the ministry.
“Rivers State Ministry of Health is fully committed to its regulatory function and is committed to eradicating quackery from Rivers State as part of its mandate on health security,” he said.
He added: “We mandate all registered facilities to display their ‘Certificate of Standards’ at the reception of their facilities.”
He said 19 of the facilities shut down were unregistered and operating below the required standards, while one registered facility was also found to be operating without a licensed medical professional.
“We also appeal to members of the public to notify the Rivers State Ministry of Health of any suspicious medical practices in health facilities within Rivers State,” he said.
The ministry also carried out a joint operation with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) at a facility in Elelenwo following allegations of child trafficking.
Wachukwu said three persons were arrested during the enforcement exercise and would face prosecution in line with the law.
He urged residents to seek medical care only from verified facilities and report suspected cases of quackery or unsafe medical practices to the ministry.
The state government said the enforcement is part of its broader effort to strengthen healthcare regulation and protect residents from unqualified practitioners.
