An expectant 14-year-old girl and five other pregnant young ladies have been rescued from a baby factory in Anambra State.
The baby factory was busted by the Anambra State’s Health Facility Accreditation and Monitoring Unit during a regular inspection.
Six pregnant teens were rescued from the facility located in Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
The operation was carried out by the Anambra state government, working with security personnel.
According to the Health Commissioner, Afam Obidike, the establishment known as Mother & Child Hospital and Maternity was situated at No. 1, School Road, Tansian University in Umunya, and was the site of the baby sales.
Obidike stated that the nurses the operatives saw closed down the facility and left after it requested to talk with the on-duty doctor to find out why the institution wasn’t registered with the state government.
He stated that later on, the surveillance team was assisted in entering the facility by members of the Civil Defence Corps, OCHA-Brigade, and police.
Obidike 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 were 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 owned 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 substandard 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 asked the citizenry to report any unlawful activity, malpractices, or issues pertaining to state-funded healthcare services.
Speaking as well, Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, the director of medical services, advised other quack and phoney physicians in the state to cease operations right away, warning, “If caught, they will face the full wrath of the law.”
