A fake doctor, who performed an illegal abortion on a woman with a six-month pregnancy in Akute, Ifo Local Government area of Ogun State, has been apprehended.

The supervisory team of the State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) had uncovered the crime while monitoring the level of compliance with the Revalidation and Registration Exercise of health facilities across the state.

Chairman of NANNM, Comrade Roseline Solarin, who disclosed this, added that the fake doctor was also discovered to have organised a graduation ceremony for a fake nurse.

He assured that NANNM is prepared to cooperate with the state government in the fight against quackery in the health sector, emphasising that “any nurse or doctor found practising without the prerequisite certificate will be arrested and prosecuted.”

While commending the state government for taking bold steps in fighting quackery in the health sector, Solarin lamented that fake doctors and nurses are gradually taking over.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, declared that government is ready to combat quackery in the health sector to a standstill.

He expressed regret over the large number of unsuspecting members of the public that have fallen victims and declared that the state would not be a comfort zone for quack health personnel.

Ipaye also said that any health facility caught operating with fake documents or not having the newly approved sign boards by the state government would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

He advised members of the public to always patronise approved health facilities that have sign boards with the new colour and coded number.

According to him, such facilities can offer better and qualitative health care services, adding that Governor Ibikunle Amosun has mandated officials of the ministry to arrest and prosecute anyone found operating facilities with fake documents.

Over 60 illegal health facilities were shut in different parts of the state during similar monitoring exercises last year.

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