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Edo State authorities have shut Jess Royal Hospital in Benin after discovering it operated for over 10 years without statutory registration.
The state government disclosed this in a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday.
The Edo State Healthcare Regulation and Monitoring Agency (EDOHERMA) said the hospital was neither registered with the state Ministry of Health nor with the agency.
The agency made the discovery during a monitoring visit to an orphanage in the same building as the hospital.
EDOHERMA CEO, Dr Adesuwa Urhoghide-Edigin, said the hospital owner confirmed that the facility was not registered with the state government.
The owner reportedly said he was a member of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP).
Urhoghide-Edigin clarified that association membership does not amount to government registration or approval.
“ANPMP membership does not amount to statutory registration and does not authorise anyone to operate a healthcare facility in Edo State,” she said.
She directed the agency’s Medical Services Department to conduct a full inspection of the hospital.
The inspection, led by Director of Medical Services, Dr Peter Evbuomwan, found several deficiencies at the facility.
The operator said health challenges had prevented him from completing the registration process.
EDOHERMA said the inspection found poor infection prevention practices, cobwebs on ceilings and walls, rusted and deteriorated equipment, damaged mattresses and no evidence of routine fumigation or pest control.
The hospital also had no valid fire extinguisher, emergency preparedness plan or established referral system.
The agency said the conditions raised serious concerns about patient safety and the hospital’s ability to respond to emergencies.
EDOHERMA therefore ordered the hospital to immediately stop all medical operations.
The agency gave the facility two weeks to begin its official registration process and correct the identified infrastructural, environmental, equipment and health-standard deficiencies.
A follow-up inspection will determine whether the hospital has complied with the requirements.
EDOHERMA said Jess Royal Hospital will not be allowed to resume operations until it meets the applicable regulatory standards.
Urhoghide-Edigin said patient safety remained the agency’s top priority.
“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,” she said.
EDOHERMA also reminded private hospital and clinic operators that ANPMP membership does not constitute government approval.
The agency said statutory registration is mandatory to ensure healthcare services are provided in suitable environments, within approved scopes of practice and by qualified personnel.
