By LUCY OSUIZIGBO-OKECHUKWU

The Anambra State Government, on Thursday, sealed a maternity centre in the State for operating under poor hygiene standards and without a licence since 2018.

The sealed hospital is the Madonna Mercy Maternity and Clinic, in Uruagwu, in Nnewi North Local Government of the State.

Speaking to newsmen, Acting Director of Medical Services in the state’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, said the clinic was also operating with unqualified medical personnel.

Chukwulobelu said the facility was sealed after a detailed inspection carried out by the state’s Health Facility Accreditation and Monitoring Unit.

“We observed several serious violations that established minimum standards for operating a health facility in the state such as the inability of the maternity to renew its operational licence since 2018.

“The clinic also operates under unhygienic environment which is unsuitable for delivering any form of maternal care.

“These are major reasons why we had to immediately seal the facility in order to save people’s lives,” he said.

Chukwulobelu explained that the enforcement was in line with Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s health reforms.

According to him, residents of the state deserve only a safe, professional and people-centred health system. (NAN)