The Edo State Government has warned unqualified birth attendants and illegal maternity operators against endangering lives, following an alleged case of medical negligence that has left a newborn baby in critical condition.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, gave the warning during an inspection of a facility in Ekiadolor, Ovia North East Local Government Area, where the baby was reportedly delivered.

Oshiomhole disclosed that the newborn was receiving critical medical attention at a referral hospital, while the state government had commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the delivery and subsequent management of the baby.

Expressing concern over what he described as disturbing discoveries at the facility, the commissioner said: “What I have witnessed here is deeply disturbing, medically unacceptable, and a serious threat to public health.”

He said the inspection revealed an extremely unhygienic environment, with intravenous fluids, medical supplies and other materials scattered and stored under questionable conditions.

According to him, the state government was concerned about the facility’s environmental sanitation, infection prevention measures and patient safety, adding that the findings raised serious questions about the qualifications of those operating the centre and possible medical quackery.

The commissioner stressed that pregnancy and childbirth require skilled healthcare professionals, appropriate medical equipment and access to emergency care, warning that complications could become life-threatening within minutes.

“Pregnancy and childbirth are not matters for experimentation. A maternity home should be a place where life begins safely, not a place where innocent lives are placed in danger,” he said.

Oshiomhole further warned that the availability of medical supplies did not qualify individuals to provide professional healthcare services, insisting that only appropriately trained and authorised personnel should attend to pregnant women and newborn babies.

“Possessing intravenous fluid, injections and medical supplies does not make anyone a doctor, nurse, midwife, or qualified healthcare professional,” he declared.

He warned illegal maternity operators and individuals practising medicine without the required qualifications and authorisation that the state would no longer tolerate activities that expose mothers and newborns to preventable injuries, infections, disabilities and death.

The commissioner, however, clarified that the government’s warning was not directed at properly trained, accredited and regulated birth attendants operating within their lawful scope of practice, but at unqualified individuals whose activities pose a danger to public health. (Channels TV)