The Enugu State Government has sealed several unregistered hospitals and pharmaceutical stores in Enugu and Nsukka in a bid to protect public health and ensure adherence to regulatory standards. The action was taken during a two-day Monitoring Exercise carried out by the Expanded Joint Inspectorate of the State Ministry of Health, regulatory bodies, and associations of medical professionals.
Dr. Sam Egwuonwu, Director of Medical Services at the Ministry of Health, stated that the exercise targeted hospitals and pharmaceutical establishments that had failed to register with the Ministry or renew their annual operational licenses. He revealed that over six private hospitals and health institutions were sealed during the operation. The joint inspection included key stakeholders such as the Nigeria Medical Association, the Medical and Dental Council, Midwifery and Laboratory Councils, Nurses and Pharmacists associations, Civil Society Organisations, the Police, and the media.
Two inspection teams operated simultaneously in Enugu metropolis and Nsukka to cover a wide range of facilities. Egwuonwu explained that the goal was to ensure that all private health facilities in the state are registered, adding that operating without current registration renders such facilities illegal. He emphasized that the exercise would help curb quackery and increase government revenue through proper regulation.
Professor Emmanuel Obi, the Commissioner for Health, described the move as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery and minimize fatalities caused by unregulated operations. He confirmed that the monitoring exercise would extend to both urban and rural areas and urged residents to verify the registration status of health facilities before using their services.
Comrade Innocent Ejike, a representative of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Enugu Chapter, noted that their role in the exercise included checking whether nurses and other healthcare providers at the facilities were properly licensed. He stated that any hospital found operating without licensed professionals, such as doctors or nurses, was promptly sealed.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the health of its citizens by enforcing strict compliance with medical regulations and ensuring that healthcare providers meet the approved operational standards.
