The Rivers State Anti-Quackery Committee has sealed and revoked the registration license of a clinic, for the death of a patient following the denial of blood transfusion.
The clinic located on Captain Amangala Street in Borokiri, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital was sealed in Monday.
The Committee was led by the Director of Medical Services, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu. This came following an unscheduled inspection on Monday, which was prompted by reports of the death of one Mrs. Victoria Paris.
Mrs. Paris was alleged to have died after undergoing a caesarean section at the clinic. The patient was allegedly refused blood transfusion by the medical personnel based on religious beliefs.
This was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Hope Avundaa on behalf of the Rivers State Interprofessional Anti-Quackery Committee.
The Committee revealed that the facility operated from a three-bedroom apartment converted into a six-bed maternity home run by one Comfort Etuk.
According to the Committee, inspections revealed that the clinic had no licensed nurse on site. And was functioning beyond its approved scope, including performing surgical procedures in a poorly equipped environment.
The statement added that the facility also lacked a standard sterilization unit. And it failed to meet Infection Prevention and Control, IPC, standards.
The Committee has summoned all health workers, including doctors affiliated with the facility. They are to appear before the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, panel.
Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Diamond Tamunokuro has condemned the development.
The Chairman frowned at the unethical practices of medical doctors working in substandard maternity homes. This is as he described such affiliations as highly unprofessional and dangerous.
“This exercise is a continuation of the anti-quackery mandate of the Rivers State Ministry of Health and the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State and other Healthcare Affiliate Associations in the State,” the statement added.