The Anambra State Ministry of Health has shut down three facilities that were using phony licenses and dubious medical personnel.

On Wednesday, the team was brought to the facilities in Alor, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state, by the head of the ministry’s medical services department, Dr. Chukwulobelu Ugochukwu.

Residents were advised by Ugochukwu not to use such illegal institutions and instead to seek proper medical care at government public hospitals.

He continued, noting that in-patients were unaffected by the closure, that the hospitals had received penalties for hiring unlicensed medical workers.

He said, “The hospitals were shut by Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Team for operating without a licence, forged licence, unqualified staff or in an unhygienic environment according to Health management.

“We also discovered some uncertified health workers, who treat patients and perform medical procedures only to leave the country when complications arise.

“We, therefore, call on community stakeholders, religious bodies and individuals to show interest in activities in their localities, especially health.

“They should also report to the ministry any suspected facility or shops involved in quackery to assist in saving millions of lives and contributing to the health sector of the state.”

He discussed increasingly concerning instances of unlicensed healthcare providers abandoning their patients and leaving the country when problems arise.

Ugochukwu promised constant regulatory control of hospitals in the state and questioned why anybody would put human lives at danger for financial gain.