A 40-year-old man identified as Mr Tari Ogede has been arrested by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health for allegedly impersonating and parading himself as a medical doctor in Angiama, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Oluwatoyin Azebi, made this known while speaking to newsmen in her office at the State Ministry of Health, Yenaoga, shortly after her visit to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Headquarters, to confirm the arrest.
Dr Oluwatoyin frowned at the increased rate of quackery in the medical profession and its health implications for the people of the state, noting that the trend was not only illegal but also dangerous as it had caused a number of maternal and child mortality cases and other deaths.
The Permanent Secretary condemned the act of persons carrying out various medical activities without the requisite qualifications, especially in the action of Tari, whose effort to carry out a cesarean section on a young pregnant girl in December 25, 2022, had led to the death of the baby and damage caused to the young girl.
“I am surprised. Somebody that does not even have up to secondary level of education was found involved in trying to do a cesarean section for a 15-year-old girl, eventually cut the lady and was not able to go on with the surgery and also killed the baby,” she said.
According to her, the activities of quackery in the medical profession were a matter of serious concern, stressing that such actions was capable of bringing the noble profession to the mud, and government would no longer ignore the illicit medical practices.
“Any of the perpetrators that is caught will be made to face the law, I’m just coming from the State (CID); we will ensure that this person is prosecuted accordingly. We are not going to take this nonsense from any one of them again,” she added.
Dr Oluwatoyin also used the medium to advise referral of patients to the appropriate hospitals or clinics for immediate remedy when cases are beyond their knowledge, rather than proceeding in their illicit method.
Director of Medical Services, Ministry of Health and immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Bayelsa Chapter, Dr Ngowari Torunana, described the action of the quack as atrocious and cruel, noting that the injuries suffered by the girl were severe, expressing fears of long-term complications because of the infringement done on her organs, including a cut on her bladder, rectum, and virgina, as she was still anemic in the hospital.
The Director expressed in strong terms the stand of the Ministry to prosecute anyone caught in such an act, pointing out that the prosecution and conviction of Tari would serve as a deterrent to others, and advised those craving to bear the name “Doctor” and carrying out the services to seek formal education to acquire the requisite knowledge for the job.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State, SP Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect informed that the suspect had been arraigned and was in police custody.
The force PRO warned quack medical doctors to desist from the act, stating that no one found would be spared.
He added that if the accused was convicted, he would be the second person sentenced for the same crime in recent times.
Mr Tari Ogede hails from Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government of the State.
