By Kingsley Agim
The Cross River State Government has intensified its crackdown on illegal and substandard health facilities, issuing a firm directive to erring clinics following a comprehensive inspection across the Central Senatorial District.
The enforcement action followed a recent assessment carried out by the Department of Medical and Dental Services of the Ministry of Health, with the approval of the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk.
The inspection, led by the Director of Medical and Dental Services, Dr Stephen Agbor, covered Yakurr, Obubra, and Ikom Local Government Areas, where 19 public and private health facilities were evaluated for compliance with established standards.
According to the report, several facilities were found wanting in critical areas, including inadequate qualified manpower, poor sanitation, and unsafe medical waste disposal practices.
The team also discovered that some facilities were operating without proper registration or approval from the Ministry, while others were staffed by unqualified individuals posing as healthcare providers.
Further findings revealed the absence of basic emergency equipment such as oxygen cylinders, ambulances, and fire extinguishers, as well as poor sterilisation processes, dirty beddings, and generally unconducive environments for patient care.
In response, the Ministry directed that Ade Family Clinic in Ugep and Rockalive Medical Centre in Nko be given a three-month grace period to improve the quality of their services and meet required operational standards or face total closure.
Authorities also directed other identified facilities to urgently improve their services, warning that routine inspections would be intensified to ensure strict compliance with healthcare regulations.
The Ministry emphasised that the exercise is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate quackery, enforce standards, and safeguard public health across the state.
Officials described the findings as revealing, noting that the inspection exposed deep-rooted challenges within the healthcare system and underscored the need for sustained regulatory oversight.
The state government reiterated its commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery through continuous monitoring, enforcement, and reforms aimed at ensuring safe and quality medical services for residents.
