The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered a major crackdown on illegal health facilities and unqualified medical practitioners operating in Abuja.
This directive was made public by Mr. Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, in a statement issued on Saturday.
Wike’s action follows the tragic death of a pregnant woman at an unregistered private hospital in Durumi, Abuja, after undergoing a caesarean section.
Olayinka explained that Wike had instructed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone operating illegal clinics or practicing medicine without proper registration.
He stressed that despite the FCT Administration’s provision of free health insurance for pregnant women under the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS), many still seek unsafe care from unlicensed operators.
“In the FCT, vulnerable groups including expectant mothers enjoy free enrollment into the FHIS,” he said. “This entitles them to comprehensive healthcare services, including free cesarean sections at designated hospitals like Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Abaji, and Kuje General Hospitals.”
He urged residents to take advantage of these government-backed facilities rather than risk their lives with uncertified practitioners.
The incident that triggered the crackdown involved 35-year-old Chekwube Chinagorom, who was rushed to Asokoro District Hospital already deceased after a botched caesarean section at the illegal Durumi facility. Her baby survived and is currently receiving care at Asokoro Hospital.
Investigations led by the Private Health Establishments Registration and Monitoring Committee (PHERMC) revealed that the facility where Chinagorom was operated on was not officially registered. Only a junior health worker, Simon Godiya, was present during the inspection. He claimed the surgery was performed by Murtala Jumma, assisted by an unknown individual. Efforts to contact Jumma have so far been unsuccessful.
The police have taken over the investigation to identify all those involved, verify their credentials, and determine the exact circumstances that led to the woman’s death.
Olayinka reaffirmed that Wike’s administration remains committed to enforcing standards in the FCT health sector and ensuring that such tragedies are prevented in the future.
