The Enugu State Government has arrested a man posing as a medical doctor and sealed an illegal hospital that he was operating in Obollo-Etiti, Udenu Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect, identified as Mr. Kenneth Mamah, was apprehended during an enforcement operation coordinated by the Enugu State Ministry of Health, following reports from concerned residents about unsafe medical practices at the facility.
In a statement released on Sunday by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Ugodu Avemaria, the Commissioner for Health, Professor George Ugwu, personally led the enforcement team that stormed the hospital, known as St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Ada-ulo, Obollo-Etiti Community.
According to the statement, the operation uncovered “shocking evidence” of medical malpractice, unhygienic conditions, and complete disregard for safety standards.
The ministry revealed that Mr. Mamah had been conducting surgical operations and other medical procedures in a room that was “grossly unfit for any form of medical care.”
“The enforcement team, acting on credible intelligence and complaints from concerned residents, stormed the facility recently, where they discovered that the owner has been conducting surgical procedures in his consulting room and other medical practices in an environment grossly unfit for any form of operative care,” Avemaria said.
Investigations showed that the suspect had no medical license, no professional training, and no approval from the state Ministry of Health to operate any medical facility.
Despite these shortcomings, the fake doctor had been attending to patients, performing surgical operations, and administering treatments that posed serious risks to human life.
“His reckless actions endangered the lives of residents who unsuspectingly sought care in his facility,” the ministry added.
Speaking after the raid, Health Commissioner Prof. George Ugwu described the incident as “a shocking case of medical quackery and human endangerment.”
He said the state government, under Governor Peter Mbah, would not tolerate illegal medical operations that put citizens’ health and safety at risk.
“Practicing medicine without proper qualifications and certification is a criminal offence. Anyone caught in such acts will face the full weight of the law,” the commissioner added.
Residents of the Obollo-Etiti community expressed both shock and relief after the discovery. Many said they had long suspected that the hospital was not properly run but did not have proof until the government’s intervention.
A resident who spoke anonymously said, “We noticed that patients who went there for minor treatments often ended up with complications. Some were even referred to Nsukka or Enugu for correction. We thank the government for finally stepping in.”
Others called for regular monitoring of health facilities across rural communities to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
“This is not the only fake doctor in Enugu State. There are many people running chemists and calling themselves doctors. The government should continue to investigate,” another resident said.
Cases of fake doctors and unlicensed hospitals are not new in Nigeria. Across the country, several people have been arrested in recent years for impersonating medical professionals and endangering lives.
In many communities, unqualified individuals take advantage of people’s desperation for affordable medical care by offering cheap but dangerous services.
According to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), only licensed practitioners are allowed to run hospitals or clinics in the country. The council periodically publishes a list of accredited hospitals and registered doctors to help the public identify genuine medical facilities.
However, despite these efforts, fake doctors continue to operate in many states, often escaping detection until tragedy strikes.
The operation against fake medical practitioners aligns with the broader reforms being implemented by the Enugu State Government to strengthen its healthcare system.
