In collaboration with security forces, the Anambra state government successfully rescued six pregnant teenagers from a ‘baby-making factory’ located at Umunya in the Oyi local government area of the state on Wednesday, February 7. The Commissioner for Health, Afam Obidike, revealed this information to reporters, explaining that the factory was exposed during a raid conducted by the state’s health facility accreditation and monitoring unit during its routine inspection.
The facility, situated at No 1, School Road, Tansian University in Umunya, where babies were being sold, bore the name ‘Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity.’ Obidike disclosed that the nurses present locked up the facility and fled when the monitoring team requested to see the doctor on duty and inquired about the facility’s lack of registration with the state government.
Subsequently, security operatives, including OCHA-Brigade, Civil Defence Corps, and the Police, assisted the monitoring team in gaining access to the facility.
He said: “When we gained access to the facility, what we saw was shocking. We discovered six underage pregnant girls, within ages 14, 15,16, 17 and 21, allegedly camped against their wishes.
“We interviewed these girls and they told us they are being camped by one self-acclaimed doctor who they identified as Mr Odili Ossai from Delta State, now at large.
“According to them, when they deliver the babies, Mr Ossai, who owns the facility will sell the babies.
“Five persons have been arrested in connection with the `factory’ and the police will carry out further investigation.”
Obidike reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Charles Soludo’s administration in stamping out fake and quack hospitals across the state.
He said: “Under the state’s Health Facility Accreditation and Monitoring Unit, we have equally established the state Illegal and Anti-Quackery Taskforce Team.
“The primary objective of the task force team is to eliminate illegal and unethical sharp practices within health facilities and enhance the quality of healthcare services in the state.
“The state government is determined to eliminate all illegal health facilities and quackery. It is also worthy to note that the state ministry of health has successfully built a database website where people can easily have access to approved and registered health facilities in the state.”
The commissioner urged residents to report any illegal activities, malpractices, or concerns related to healthcare services in the state.
Also speaking, the director of medical services, Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu cautioned other fake and quack doctors operating in the state to shut down immediately.
He said: “If caught, they will face the full wrath of the law.”
