Anti-Quackery Task Force Seals Clinic After Patient’s Death In Calabar

CALABAR, CROSS RIVER – The Cross River State Task Force on Health Quality and Anti-Quackery has sealed an illegal maternity facility in Calabar Municipality following the reported death of a patient after surgery, with investigations uncovering what officials described as widespread violations of healthcare regulations and professional standards.

The facility, Safe Hand’s Maternity Clinic, located at No. 21 Iyata Street, Calabar, was shut down after a petition alleged that a patient died following a surgical procedure carried out at the centre.

Acting on the petition, an enforcement team led by Dr. Dan Abubakar conducted an unscheduled inspection of the facility on Friday and discovered a series of infractions, including the conduct of surgical procedures in a substandard environment, operation without the requisite approvals, poor sanitary conditions, and the engagement of unqualified personnel.

Investigators also found that the facility was operating from a converted three-bedroom apartment that had been transformed into a six-bed maternity ward without licensed nurses on its staff.

The task force further discovered that surgical procedures were allegedly being carried out by Dr. Sunday Abeng, a registrar at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), in what officials described as a poorly equipped environment unsuitable for surgical interventions.

According to the inspection report, the facility was operating beyond its approved scope of practice and had admitted an abandoned stroke patient despite lacking the personnel, equipment and infrastructure required to manage such a condition.

Other violations identified by the task force included the absence of operational licences, inadequate consulting rooms, poor ventilation, lack of staff records and patient registers, absence of theatre records, poor waste disposal practices and unhygienic operating conditions.

Speaking after the inspection, Dr. Abubakar described the findings as disturbing and warned that facilities operating under such conditions posed serious risks to patients.

“What we found here is completely unacceptable. Facilities operating under these conditions are potential death traps and have no place in a healthcare system that prioritizes patient safety and quality service delivery,” he said.

He noted that the inspection formed part of the state’s broader efforts to eliminate quackery and unsafe medical practices.

According to him, the administration of Governor Bassey Otu remains committed to strengthening healthcare regulation and ensuring that residents have access to safe and professionally managed health facilities.

“The Governor is currently facelifting and constructing modern, well-equipped health facilities across Cross River State. We urge residents to seek medical care in approved facilities rather than risk their lives in the hands of unqualified operators,” Dr. Abubakar stated.

The task force chairman further warned residents against patronizing unaccredited health centres, noting that many operate under unsafe and unsanitary conditions capable of endangering lives.

He stressed that the state government would continue to enforce professional standards and sanction facilities found violating healthcare regulations.

Following the enforcement action, the clinic was sealed while the owner, Mrs. Inyang Ekeng, a Community Health Extension Officer, and the attending doctor were directed to evacuate all admitted patients within a stipulated period.

Truth Live News gathered that the latest operation is part of the Cross River State Government’s ongoing anti-quackery campaign aimed at strengthening oversight of healthcare facilities, improving patient safety and preventing avoidable medical tragedies.

Authorities maintained that any health facility found operating illegally or below acceptable professional standards would face appropriate sanctions in accordance with established healthcare regulations.

The reported death that triggered the investigation is expected to remain under scrutiny as health authorities continue efforts to determine the full circumstances surrounding the case.