The Benue State Government has shut down St. John’s Hospital in the Otukpo area over allegations of poor medical practices, including an incident in which a patient reportedly had both breasts removed on November 25 without following proper clinical procedures.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, confirmed the development to our correspondent on Saturday, stating that the hospital was sealed for failing to comply with established medical standards.
He explained that the ministry had been keeping the facility under surveillance after receiving reports of malpractice, and an enforcement team was dispatched on Friday.
The operation was carried out by the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Agbadu Joshua, alongside the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association’s Anti-Quackery Committee, Dr. Alex Iorbo, and the Desk Officers for Otukpo and Gboko LGAs, who were already conducting routine monitoring in the area.
Ogwuche said, “This is part of the state government’s intensified campaign against quackery and substandard medical practice.
“During the inspection of St. John’s Hospital Otukpo, the team found the facility operating in a substandard and unsafe environment and also failing to follow approved treatment protocols.
“The malpractices included a reported case of the removal of both breasts of a patient allegedly carried out on the 25th of November without adherence to established clinical guidelines.”
He added that the hospital was “immediately sealed,” and the Medical Superintendent had been issued a formal query and directed to report to the ministry for further investigation on Monday.
Ogwuche reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to protecting residents, stressing that the government would continue to pursue safe, ethical and high-quality healthcare across the state.
He warned that the government “will not hesitate to take firm action against any facility found endangering patient lives,” and urged all healthcare workers to maintain strict professional standards or face consequences.
The shutdown follows an earlier closure of St. Peter and Paul Community Health Centre and Maternity in Lessel, Ushongo LGA over what authorities described as gross professional misconduct — a move that underscores the state’s ongoing efforts to sanitise the health sector.
