20 private hospitals closed in Niger over illegal operations

The Niger Ministry of Health has ordered the closure of 20 private
hospitals in the state for operating illegally and without following
proper medical procedures.
Dr Usman Baba-Agaie, Director, Private Hospitals and Laboratories,
stated this on Sunday in Minna in an interactive session with
journalists.
He stated that the action was because the hospitals operated beyond
their mandate as contained in their operating licenses.
He said that the hospitals were found to have contravened the
guidelines set for their operations, adding that some of them
conducted illegal abortions on pregnant women even when they did not
have the equipment necessary for such operations.
Baba-Agaje said some of the hospitals illegally transfused blood on
patients without proper equipment or trained personnel to conduct
simple blood tests or screening before transfusion.
He said that some of the hospitals were discovered to have carried out
illegal surgical operations outside their scope of license, and
without the required medical personnel or suitable operating theatre.
He said that the ministry had no option than to seal such hospitals
and withdrew their operating licenses in the interest and safety of
the public, adding that the closure would be permanent.
"These hospitals were licensed to treat minor illnesses such as
headaches, fever and vomiting among others, and they were expected to
refer complicated cases to better equipped medical facilities.
"But some of them had chosen to operate outside their mandates,'' he said.
Baba-Agaje said that the ministry had since informed the security
agents about the activities of the managers of the hospitals to ensure
thatthey did not reopen, while the operator could possibly face
prosecution fortheir illegal acts.
He urged members of the public to report the activities of any
hospital or staff that carried out illegal medical procedure or
operation to the ministryfor necessary investigation and action. (NAN)