Yenagoa—The Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 40-year-old man by the name Tari Ogede, for impersonating as a medical practitioner in Angiama, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Ogede who was arrested on the 31st of December 2022 was alleged to have carried out a cesarean section on a young pregnant girl on December 25, 2022, which lead to the death of the baby and damages to the girl.
According to a statement on the official Facebook page of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Oluwatoyin Azebi, made this known while speaking to newsmen on the 3rd of January, 2023, in her office, State Ministry of Health, Yenaoga, shortly after she visited the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Headquarters, to confirm the arrest.
Oluwatoyin frowned at the increased rate of quackery in the medical profession and its health implications for the people of the state.
She noted that the trend is not only illegal but dangerous as it has caused many maternal and child mortality cases and other deaths.
She condemned the act of persons carrying out various medical activities without the requisite qualifications, especially in the action of Ogede.
“I am surprised somebody that does not even have up to a 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 is a matter of serious concern, stressing that such actions are capable of bringing the noble profession to the mud, and the government would no longer ignore the illicit medical practices.
“Any of the perpetrators that are 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.
Oluwatoyin also used the medium to advise those massaging to always ensure that they refer patients to the appropriate hospitals or clinics for immediate remedy when cases are beyond their knowledge, rather than proceeding in their illicit method.
Also speaking, the 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.
He disclosed that the injuries suffered by the young 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 Ogede would serve as a deterrent to others.
Torunana 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 has been arraigned before the court and is in police custody.
The police spokesman warned quack medical doctors to desist from the act, stating that no one found would be spared.
Butswat added that if the accused is convicted, he would be the second person sentenced for the same crime in recent times.
Mr. Tari Ogede, Mangrovepen.ng gathered, hails from Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government of the State.
