Tragedy struck in Borokiri, Port Harcourt, as 33-year-old Victoria Paris, a seven-months pregnant mother of four died during a botched caesarean section at an illegal health facility now identified as Standard Maternity Hospital. The incident has triggered widespread public outrage and renewed scrutiny on Nigeria’s unregulated healthcare sector.
Following the death, the Rivers State Government has sealed the facility through its Interprofessional Anti-Quackery Committee. Investigations revealed that the so-called hospital was operating without proper licensing, infrastructure, or qualified medical personnel. Originally registered to provide basic maternity care, the facility had illegally expanded into a six-bed clinic performing surgical procedures, including caesarean sections without medical oversight.
Dr. Hope Avundaa, spokesperson for the state’s Anti-Quackery Committee, confirmed that the facility was run by auxiliary nurses with no legal authority or training to carry out medical surgeries. “This was a ticking time bomb,” she said. “No certified medical personnel were present, and the environment was completely unsuitable for any form of surgical procedure.”
An unscheduled inspection led by Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, Director of Medical Services and committee chairman, uncovered glaring violations. The clinic operated without licensed doctors or nurses, had no sterilization unit, and failed to meet basic Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) standards. In response, Dr. Wachukwu ordered the immediate and permanent closure of the facility, and revoked its registration.
All personnel linked to the clinic including any registered medical professionals have been summoned by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for investigation and possible disciplinary action.
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Reacting to the development, Dr. Diamond Tamunokuro, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Rivers State, condemned the complicity of licensed professionals who lend their names to such illegal operations. “It is a grave violation of medical ethics to associate with unlicensed and unregulated facilities. Such actions not only endanger lives but undermine the integrity of the medical profession,” he said.
The horrifying incident has reignited concerns over the deadly consequences of quackery in Nigeria’s healthcare system, where many citizens—unable to afford quality care—turn to unauthorized providers and end up paying the ultimate price.
Health advocates are calling on the Rivers State Government to go beyond sealing illegal clinics by prosecuting operators to serve as a deterrent. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the NMA and other professional bodies, has pledged to intensify its crackdown on fake health facilities across the state.
Victoria Paris’ death is not just a tragic statistic, it is a wake-up call. As the government ramps up efforts to cleanse the healthcare system, her story stands as a chilling reminder of the countless illegal clinics that still operate in the shadows, putting unsuspecting lives at risk daily.
