A private hospital in Benin City, Edo State, has been ordered to stop all medical activities after authorities discovered that it had allegedly operated for more than 10 years without the required statutory registration.
Jess Royal Hospital was shut down by the Edo State Healthcare Regulation and Monitoring Agency (EDOHERMA) following an inspection that uncovered concerns about its regulatory status, facilities and patient-safety standards.
The state government disclosed the development on Saturday in a statement shared on Facebook, saying checks showed that the hospital was not registered with either the Edo State Ministry of Health or EDOHERMA.
Officials reportedly discovered the facility while carrying out a monitoring exercise at an orphanage located in the same building.
During the visit, EDOHERMA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Adesuwa Urhoghide-Edigin, questioned the hospital operator about its regulatory status. The operator reportedly admitted that the facility was not registered with the state authorities but said he was a member of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners.
Urhoghide-Edigin rejected the explanation, stressing that membership of a professional association does not amount to statutory approval to operate a healthcare facility.
“ANPMP membership does not amount to statutory registration and does not authorise anyone to operate a healthcare facility in Edo State,” she said.
Following the discovery, the agency ordered a comprehensive inspection of the hospital. The inspection was conducted by its Medical Services Department under the leadership of Dr Peter Evbuomwan.
The team reportedly identified several deficiencies, including inadequate infection-control measures and poor general maintenance of the facility.
Inspectors found cobwebs around the premises, rusty and worn-out hospital equipment, severely damaged mattresses and no evidence that the facility was regularly fumigated or treated for pests.
The hospital was also reportedly without a functional fire extinguisher, a documented emergency preparedness plan or a proper referral system for patients requiring specialised medical care.
EDOHERMA said the conditions raised serious concerns about patient safety and the facility’s ability to respond appropriately to medical emergencies.
The hospital operator reportedly attributed his failure to complete the registration process to health challenges. However, the agency maintained that healthcare facilities must satisfy all relevant legal and regulatory requirements before they can operate and treat patients.
Consequently, EDOHERMA ordered the immediate suspension of all medical activities at Jess Royal Hospital.
The agency gave the hospital two weeks to commence its formal registration process and address the deficiencies identified during the inspection. Another inspection will be conducted after the deadline to determine whether the facility has complied with the directives.
EDOHERMA said the hospital will remain closed until it meets the required standards.
Reiterating the agency’s commitment to patient safety, Urhoghide-Edigin said: “Patient safety remains the agency’s overriding priority, and no healthcare facility will be allowed to compromise established health, sanitary and operational standards in the state.”
The agency also warned private healthcare operators that membership of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners is not a substitute for government registration.
According to EDOHERMA, statutory registration helps ensure that healthcare facilities meet acceptable standards, operate within their approved scope and employ qualified healthcare professionals.
