The Enugu State Ministry of Health has arrested a fake doctor and sealed an illegal hospital in Obollo-Etiti, Udenu Local Government Area, for operating without a licence and endangering patients’ lives. In a statement made available to PUNCH Metro on Sunday, the ministry, through its Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Ugodu Avemaria, said the operation was coordinated by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu. The team uncovered shocking evidence of the facility’s unhygienic and unsafe conditions.
The fake doctor has been identified as Mr. Kenneth Mamah, and the hospital as St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Ada-Ulo Obollo-Etiti Community. “The enforcement team, acting on credible intelligence and complaints from residents, stormed the facility and discovered that the owner had been conducting surgical procedures in his consulting room and performing other medical practices in an environment grossly unfit for operative care,” Avemaria stated. “The self-proclaimed doctor had no medical licence, no professional training, and no authorisation from the state ministry of health. Despite this, he routinely performed surgical operations, putting residents at risk.”
Residents of the community were reportedly shocked to learn the truth about Mamah, who had posed as a trained medical professional for years. Director of Medical Services, Dr. Amaechi Mgbodile, said the closure is part of the state government’s campaign to eliminate quackery, ensure patient safety, and enforce minimum standards across health facilities. He emphasised that no facility is permitted to conduct surgery without proper registration, qualified health personnel, sterile equipment, and an approved theatre environment.
The fake doctor has been handed over to security agencies for investigation and possible prosecution under Governor Peter Mba’s zero-tolerance policy on quackery. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Udenu Local Government Area, Aka Eze Aka, assured the public that surveillance would continue to identify unlicensed practitioners hiding in rural communities.
Source: https://punchng.com/
