No Medical Outreach Without Authorisation, Abia Govt Declares After Abiriba Free Medical Saga

Abia State government has warned groups and organizations intending to embark on medical outreach in the state to ensure that they obtain permission from the Office of the Commissioner for Health.

ABN TV had reported in incident in Abiriba, Ohafia in which several persons were hospitalized after receiving drugs dispensed at a free medical mission in the community.

Worried by the need to protect the health of the public across the state, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche said henceforth, any medical outreach without the endorsement of the state government will be declared illegal and organisers made the face the full wrath of the law.

“Preliminary reports indicate that medications distributed during this outreach may have caused adverse drug reactions among unsuspecting recipients. Identified victims of these untoward medical events are currently receiving medical attention at designated public health facilities within the state. Our dedicated healthcare personnel are working assiduously to stabilize and treat affected people”, he stated in reference to the ill-fated Abiriba, Ohafia local government medical outreach.

While expressing the concern of the Ministry and hazards associated with such outreaches, he stated, “We wish to hereby warn the public to be cautious of individuals and groups organizing unapproved healthcare events.

“The Ministry of Health wishes to announce that medical missions without authorization from the office of the Commissioner for Health Abia State are unlawful and those who conduct such illegal activities that put the Health of Abia citizens and residents in jeopardy shall be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

The Commissioner insists that all intended medical missions without official approval from the Ministry of Health illegal and prohibited by the Government of Abia State.

He encouraged members of the public to report any unauthorized or illegal healthcare activity near them to the Ministry of Health through this number 08188520261.