By PATRICK ABANG Calabar –
The Chairman Cross River State Task Force on Quackery and Related Violations in the Healthcare Delivery System, Mr. David Ushie, said on Tuesday that the taskforce has arrested six persons including a fake doctor for multiple surgeries in Aladim Community in Ogoja LGA of the state.
Mr. Ushie, who is also the Special Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade on Health stated this in a statement issued to newsmen in Calabar.
He said the task force had responded to 22 cases and arrested violators and closed down 13 healthcare facilities on account of various violations of the regulatory laws.
According to him, a wonder surgeons operating in Aladin community of Ogoja Local Government Area, through a tip off was arrested by men of the Nigerian police and will soon appear in Court.
“We contacted the Chairman of Council, Hon Emmanuel Ishabor and the DPO of Area command. Supol Horsfall, who both confirmed the incidence.”
He revealed that his “team conducted interview on the health Center Aladim, venue of the crime. After a full day investigation’s and facility assessment, we made discoveries that there were ten (10) patients on admission.
“Nine (9) of the ten patients had eleven (11) ‘surgeries’. Amongst the 9 patients, 3 had four (4) ‘surgeries’ for ‘hernia’
He explained that majority of the seven (7) had ‘surgeries’ for ‘appendectomies’. One patient had two surgeries’ for ‘appendix’ (1) and ‘hernia’ (1).At least 5 of the 11 surgeries were clearly recognizable as superficial skin cuts giving patients the false sense that they had surgery (-ies).
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Ushie further disclosed that “At least six (6) persons conspired in these fake surgeries and they include; Mr. Phillips Terzengwe Beeve (carried out ‘surgical operations’ on all 9), Mr Sunny (Carries out ultrasound scan and report with Life first business name). Life first is located in Okuku, Iyala LGA and is owned by Dr Augustine Adugba. Dr Austin Adugba (employer of Mr Phillips and Mr Sunny).
Others who facilitated the activities of above three are Mrs Janet A. Bisong (In-charge) of the facility, the LGA Coordinator, Mrs Elizabeth Bullem, Coordinated the April 2022 meeting in Health Centre Aladim where the activities of the first 3 (Phillips, Sunny and Dr Adugba) were agreed by the community, the Health facility and the coordinator, Chief Sunny (clan Head of Aladim), initiated the arrangement and is beneficiary of the financial proceeds.
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