Determined to improve the integrity of the capital’s healthcare system, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has ordered a comprehensive crackdown on unregistered hospitals and unqualified medical practitioners operating within the territory.
“Henceforth, anyone found to be operating or working in an unregistered health facilities should be arrested and prosecuted”, he said.
Minister Wike’s directive was issued following the death of a pregnant woman who underwent a caesarean section at Afolmi Hospital, a private medical facility located in the Durumi area of Abuja.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister expressed disappointment that many pregnant women were not utilizing the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) despite free registration.
He said: “In the FCT, vulnerable persons, including pregnant women enjoy free enrollment into the FHIS, which allows them free access, through the Primary Health Care (PHC) Centres, to all services covered in the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS).
“Also, in alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstration the Wike-led FCTA zero tolerance for maternal mortality, several hospitals in the FCT, including Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Abaji, and Kuje General Hospitals, have been designated as Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEONC) centers.
“These facilities also offer cesarean sections free of charge. Our pregnant women are once again urged to take advantage of this free health insurance scheme and stop visiting quack medical personnel and unregistered health facilities.”
Persecondnews recalls that a 35-year-old woman, Chekwube Chinagorom, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Asokoro District Hospital on Friday, April 25.
The woman died after undergoing a caesarean section at Afolmi Hospital, an unregistered private facility in Abuja’s Durumi area known for substandard practices.
She delivered a live baby who was later referred to Asokoro District.
An investigation by the Private Health Establishments Registration and Monitoring Committee (PHERMC) found that the hospital was operating without proper registration.
During the inspection, only one staff member, Simon Elisha Godiya, a junior Community Health Extension Worker (JCHEW), was found on duty.
According to Mr. Godiya, the surgery was performed by Murtala Jumma alongside an unidentified individual.
However, attempts to contact Jumma via telephone were unsuccessful.
The PHERMC team handed over the case to the Nigeria Police, Durumi Divisional headquarters, and accompanied them to the station to formally record the incident as requested.
The police are currently assisting in identifying the individuals responsible for the surgery, verifying their qualifications, and investigating the circumstances that led to the death.
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