Anambra Govt. Busts Baby Factory Operating As Hospital

The Anambra State Government
has busted a baby factory, disguising itself as Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity.

The hospital located at No. 1, School Road, Tansian University, Umunya, in the Oyi Local Government Area of the state, was reported to be harbouring pregnant underage girls against their wishes to deliver babies for them.

The State Ministry of Health Facility Accreditation and Monitoring Unit (ASHEFAAMU) made the discovery, Persecondnews reports.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, described the discovery as shocking and unbelievable in a statement by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Chukwudi Nwauba.

Obidike reaffirmed the commitment of Gov. Charles Soludo’s administration to stamping out fake and quack hospitals across the state.

“When we arrived here for our normal routine hospital inspection, we saw pregnant little girls of 14 to 21 years of age being camped here in order to birth babies for them.

“We discovered that these underage girls are kept here against their wishes.

“So, we decided to see the doctor, and obviously there was no doctor in the hospital, and all the seven nurses we saw locked us outside and ran away, but the security people, comprising OCHA-Brigade, Civil Defence, and Police, later came to assist us in gaining access to the facility.

“Unfortunately, we found out that in our data system they are not registered, and that is why we came to verify and know what is happening here, and you can see for yourself the discoveries.

“What we have been doing in terms of hospital monitoring is aimed at enhancing the quality of healthcare services in the state.

“Under the Anambra State Health Facility Accreditation and Monitoring Unit, and with the approval of Mr. Governor, we have equally established the State Illegal and Anti-Quackery Taskforce Team that is also in line with the directive of Gov.

“It is also worthy to note that the State Ministry of Health has successfully built a database website that will give people easy access to approved and registered health facilities in the state.

“So, we are here because the primary objective of the taskforce team is to eliminate illegal and unethical sharp practices within health facilities across the state.”

The commissioner cautioned other fake and quack-operating hospitals to shut down immediately, warning that the law will eventually catch up with them.