We will end Quackery in Cross River State at all cost, they are killing our people- Dr Betta Edu
The Cross River State Government has decried the activities of dealers who manufacture or sell fake and counterfeit drugs.
It also said that the excesses and unethical advertisement of herbal medicine dealers are unacceptable
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Berta Edu, who stated this while reacting to the development, recalled that Cross River State Government, through the Ministry of Health, in 2020, set up an anti-quackery Squad, led by Dr David Ushie to put an end to quackery, one drug cures all, counterfeit drugs, illegal medical practices, sharp practices amongst others which has led to the death of thousands of Cross Riverians.
She disclosed that the ministry had shut down over 11 hospitals in different parts of the state, and frowned at the arbitrary and illegal advertisement of herbal medicines and even fake medical outreaches in the State.
She maintained that the action has continuously vexed the State Government, which through her Taskforce on Quackery and counterfeit drugs, has promised to sanitise the health system, especially at a time the quacks have infiltrated some parts of the State, selling fake medicines to gullible members of the public.
Dr Edu noted that the State Ministry of Health is statutorily mandated to regulate and control their activities with other relevant Government agencies such as NAFDAC.
She added that herbal products must be evaluated by the approved authorities before they can be sold.
The Health Commissioner urged traditional medicine vendors to comply with the State Government and relevant agencies to get registered and obtain certificates before advertising their products.
According to her, such products must undergo mandatory laboratory evaluation, and assured that the Cross River State Government is ever willing to strengthen the health system in its mandate of safeguarding public health
The Commissioner warned that the State Government will not hesitate to sanction and punish any unethical practice detrimental to public health and environmental safety as it is committed to safeguarding people’s lives.
The task force led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Ushie David had discovered and completely destroyed the illegal camps set up by unlicensed trade-medical trade fair organizers who arrived at the State and set up tents at the Cultural Center, Calabar on the 17th day of January 2022.
Instead of dismantling and leaving the State as ordered by the taskforce team, more of them arrived at night and continued the setting up of canopies for such illegal business. Faced with this belligerent behaviour on the part of the offenders, the State team mobilized and coordinated the complete destruction of their tents and canopies, and forcefully affected their evacuation out of the Cultural Centre and the State with proper plans put in place by the team if they resettled anywhere in CRS, the Special Adviser Dr David Ushie has promised their arrest and prosecution as second offenders.
The State Health Commissioner Dr Betta Edu who inaugurated the team a couple of Months back mandated the task force team to fish out quackery in the health sector with full support from the State Government and the Health Ministry.
“We’re not ignorant of the fact that some persons have decided to indulge in quackery where they pride themselves of curing all illnesses with a certain concussion whereas these are people who are practising without a license and some are not even medically inclined. It is, therefore, necessary for the safety of all Cross Riverians that a task force team continue to comb the State and fish out these people and so far, the result has been encouraging. this will continue!.
Speaking during the dismantling of the said tents, Dr Ushie David stated that their activities are illegal as they never got the approval of the State Ministry of Health. “They’re all quacks and are practising illegally. We’ll continue to chase them out as our hospitals and health facilities are equipped enough to offer medical services for our people. The fight to put a stop to quackery in the State began in 2020 as the government of Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade through the Commissioner for Health has given us everything we need to achieve this goal. We must avoid these people so we don’t bring careless and avoidable health challenges to our people.”
“Cross Riverians are therefore advised not to buy or patronize anyone who walks around the street with claims of having a solution to typhoid, malaria, cholera, dysentery and even HIV/AIDS etc with the said cure coming from a particular drug or concussion. Instead, visit any nearby health facility for proper medical services and care”.
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