The Delta State Government has sealed 56 private healthcare facilities in the state over non-registration, default in the payment of annual renewal fees, employing and training auxiliary nurses, among other offences.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, represented by the Deputy Director, Medical Services and Training, Dr Mathew Anibo, said the facilities were sealed in less than a week.
He explained that a monitoring team visited 89 private healthcare facilities in five LGAs: Ughelli North, Uvwie, Warri South, Sapele and Ethiope West, and sealed off 56.
While noting that the inspection and monitoring would cover the entire state, he listed the facilities visited to include hospitals, clinics, maternity homes, laboratories, eye clinics and traditional birth homes.
He said, "It is mandatory for new facilities to register with the Ministry of Health before commencing operations in the state. Also, all existing registered healthcare facilities in the state are required by law to renew their operational licence with the Ministry of Health annually."
He frowned at the situation where defaulting facilities earlier sealed were unsealed by the owners, warning such persons not to test the will of the state government as it was a grave offence to break government seal
