● Agency cites safety breaches, no registration, rusted equipment and fire hazards at Jess Royal Hospital
BENIN CITY — The Edo State Healthcare Regulation and Monitoring Agency, EDOHERMA, has ordered the immediate closure of Jess Royal Hospital in Benin City after discovering the facility had operated for more than 10 years without statutory registration.
The agency said the hospital was neither registered with the Edo State Ministry of Health nor with EDOHERMA.
—HOW THE FACILITY WAS DISCOVERED—
The discovery was made during a monitoring exercise at an orphanage located in the same building as the hospital.
EDOHERMA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adesuwa Urhoghide-Edigin, said she engaged the hospital owner during the visit and was told the facility was not registered with the state government.
The owner reportedly said he was a member of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners, ANPMP.
Dr. Urhoghide-Edigin clarified that ANPMP membership “does not amount to statutory registration and does not authorise anyone to operate a healthcare facility in Edo State.”
She subsequently directed EDOHERMA’s Medical Services Department to conduct a comprehensive inspection.
—KEY DEFICIENCIES FOUND—
A follow-up inspection led by the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Peter Evbuomwan, uncovered multiple breaches:
-Poor infection control: Cobwebs on ceilings and walls, no evidence of routine fumigation or pest control
-Deteriorated equipment: Rusted and worn ward equipment, badly damaged mattresses
-Safety gaps: No valid or serviceable fire extinguisher, no emergency preparedness plan, no established referral system
-Registration failure: Facility unable to present proof of registration with EDOHERMA or the Ministry of Health
The operator told the inspection team that health challenges had prevented him from completing the registration process.
EDOHERMA said the facility was still expected to meet all statutory requirements after remaining in service for a decade.
The agency said the lapses raised “serious concerns about patient safety and the facility’s ability to respond appropriately to emergencies.”
—AGENCY DIRECTIVE—
EDOHERMA has directed Jess Royal Hospital to:
1.Stop all medical operations immediately*
2.Begin official EDOHERMA registration within 2 weeks
3.Correct all infrastructural, environmental, equipment and health-standard deficiencies identified*
The agency said it will conduct a follow-up inspection to assess compliance. Jess Royal Hospital will not be allowed to resume operations until it meets all applicable regulatory requirements.
—“NO COMPROMISE ON PATIENT SAFETY”—
Dr. Urhoghide-Edigin said patient safety remains EDOHERMA’s overriding priority.
“No healthcare facility will be allowed to compromise established health, sanitary and operational standards in the state,” she said.
The agency also reminded owners of private hospitals and clinics in Edo that ANPMP membership does not constitute government approval.
“Statutory registration with EDOHERMA is mandatory to ensure healthcare services are provided in appropriate environments, within approved scopes of practice, and by suitably qualified personnel,” the agency stated.
[Rejigged story culled from The Sun]
