The Private Hospitals Registration and Regulation Authority (PHRRA) of Gombe State, on Thursday, closed down a private hospital and suspended the activities of a scanning centre in the Gombe metropolis.
Dr. James Madi, the chairman of the authority, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the hospital, ''Excellent Foundation'', was closed down for professional malpractice.
``The agency was registered as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that deals in health awareness campaign and screening of viral hepatitis. However, it has started treating patients illegally.
``We found out during inspection that they were treating patients, yet none of their staff is a medical officer. The person who registered the place, though a medical doctor, is staying in Jos,'' Madi said.
He also said that the scanning centre, ''Nur Scanning Centre'', had all the requisite facilities but failed to secure an operating licence.
``The centre has everything but we suspended its operations because it was not licensed. We also observed that its location was not conducive,'' he said.
Madi said that the proprietor of the centre had been directed to rectify all the anomalies before the suspension order could be lifted.
Speaking on the operations of the PHRRA, Madi, who is also the Medical Director of the State Specialists' Hospital, Gombe, said that the agency carried out yearly inspections to ensure that private health institutions operated in line with specific guidelines.
He said that the Authority also ensured the health institutions' compliance with laid-down standards in the areas of personnel, equipment and structure, among others.
Madi said that the Authority had concluded the inspection of health institutions in Gombe Local Government Area, adding that it would start the tour of the remaining 10 local government areas on Wednesday.