At least 18 private healthcare facilities in Delta state were on Tuesday sealed by the state government for falling short of the law as it concerns registration and operations.

The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme who announced this in Warri during the monitoring and inspection visit of officials of the Ministry in the company of security personnel said the action was to sanitize the activities of private health care providers.

Facilities monitored include hospitals, clinics, maternity homes, laboratories, eye clinics, and traditional birth attendant homes.

Penalty for the offences, Nigerian Tribune gathered, including terms of imprisonment for a period of not less than six months but not exceeding one year or a payment of a fine up to N5 million.

The Commissioner, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Medical Services and Training, Dr. Mathew Anibor said no person or company has the right to operate a private healthcare facility unless such a facility has been duly registered by the Ministry as provided by the Private Healthcare Facilities law of May, 2019.

According to him, the “exercise is ongoing as more unscheduled visits will be made to other registered facilities to ascertain their status with respect to the annual renewal of fees.

“Yesterday we were in Ughelli and today we are working in Warri and its environs and intend to move to Sapele, Oghara, Agbor, Asaba among other major towns in the State not excluding the rural areas.

“The Premises sealed were as a result of the facilities not being registered to operate as private healthcare facility by the Ministry, defaulters of payment of annual renewal fees as well as those facilities employing and training auxiliary nurses among other offences,” he added.

The Commissioner advised private healthcare operators in the state to do the needful by registering their facilities with the Ministry of Health even as he urged residents to report any facilities which they suspect is involved in unwholesome practices. (Nigerian Tribune)

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