The Enugu State Government has sealed four private hospitals operating illegally in Enugu South Local Government Area as part of efforts to curb unsafe medical practices and protect residents from substandard healthcare services.
The enforcement exercise was carried out by officials of the state Ministry of Health during an on-the-spot inspection led by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu.
The monitoring team comprised directors of the ministry and was led by the Director of Medical Services, Dr Chinyere Ezeudu.
Speaking on Monday in Enugu, Ugwu reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration to protecting the health and wellbeing of residents through effective regulation, quality assurance and regular monitoring of healthcare facilities.
He warned that the government would not condone illegal medical operations, professional misconduct or activities capable of putting patients’ lives at risk.
The commissioner urged private healthcare operators across the state to ensure that their facilities were properly registered, licensed and operated in accordance with the services approved by the relevant authorities.
“The ministry will sustain its monitoring and enforcement exercises to ensure that only qualified and authorised healthcare providers deliver services to the people of Enugu State,” he said.
During the exercise, the ministry’s officials inspected about 12 private healthcare facilities to assess their operational standards, verify their registration status and determine their compliance with established healthcare regulations and professional guidelines.
Reacting to the findings, Ezeudu described the situation as unacceptable, expressing concern over what she characterised as a flagrant disregard for healthcare regulations and professional standards.
She disclosed that the four affected facilities were consequently sealed and ordered to stop operating immediately.
According to her, the enforcement action was necessary to protect residents from unqualified medical practitioners, substandard healthcare services and other activities that could endanger human lives.
The ministry reiterated its determination to sustain regulatory inspections and enforcement measures to ensure that healthcare facilities across Enugu State operate within the law and meet the required professional standards.
