The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul
Ogwuche, confirmed the development on Saturday. He explained that the facility
was sealed for “not adherence to established clinical guidelines.”

According to him, the ministry had been keeping an eye on
the hospital after receiving multiple complaints of unethical practices. An
enforcement team was dispatched on Friday to carry out an inspection.

The operation was supervised by the Director of Medical
Services, Dr. Agbadu Joshua, alongside the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical
Association’s Anti-Quackery Committee, Dr. Alex Iorbo, and the Desk Officers
for Otukpo and Gboko LGAs, who were already conducting routine checks in the
area.

Ogwuche stated, “This is part of the state government’s
intensified campaign against quackery and substandard medical practice.

“During the inspection of St. John’s Hospital Otukpo, the
team found the facility operating in a substandard and unsafe environment and
also failing to follow approved treatment protocols.

“The malpractices included a reported case of the removal of
both breasts of a patient allegedly carried out on the 25th of November without
adherence to established clinical guidelines.”

He noted that the hospital was “immediately sealed,” adding
that the Medical Superintendent had been issued a query and ordered to appear
before the ministry on Monday for further interrogation.

The commissioner reiterated the government’s determination
to ensure public safety, saying the administration remains committed to
promoting ethical, secure and standard-driven healthcare services across Benue.

He cautioned that the state “will not hesitate to take firm
action against any facility found endangering patient lives,” urging
practitioners to uphold professional standards to avoid sanctions.

The latest closure comes not long after the state shut down
St. Peter and Paul Community Health Centre and Maternity in Lessel, Ushongo
LGA, over what officials described as serious professional misconduct further
highlighting the government’s ongoing push to cleanse the health sector.