By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo state government through the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the state Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association on Tuesday shut down an Ibadan based popular pharmacy store, Obeki Pharmacy located in Monatan area of the capital city.
The exercise was also monitored by members of the Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Health and security operatives.
It was gathered that the facility was shut because it was carrying out surgical procedures, admitting patients among other roles of a full fledged hospital.
Other officials that went for the closure operation include: Director, Secondary Healthcare, Dr. Adekunle Aremu, Chairman, OYHA House Committee on Health, Hon. Rilwan Saminu Gbadamosi who was accompanied by two other members of the Assembly.
Confirming the development, the Chairman, Oyo NMA, Dr Happy Adedapo said the facility was acting beyond her mandate and carrying out activities and roles of a full fledged hospital without registering as such.
Dr Adedapo said “The leadership of NMA Oyo State branch in conjunction with the Oyo State House Committee on Health and the Ministry of Health closed down a notorious Pharmacy known for quackery activities along Monatan road in Ibadan earlier today (Tuesday).
“The name is Obeki Pharmacy at Monatan area of Ibadan, Oyo state. The facility is owned by one Mr Paulson Obeki
“The Pharmacy was acting beyond her mandate by carrying out surgical procedures, admitting patients and performing other roles of a full fledged hospital without registering as such.”
He said the facility will remain shut until further notice, adding that a promise not to indulge in medical practice going forward will be extracted from the owner before any other thing is considered.
He advised others who still engages in such practices to desist, noting that the general public is at risk as they would have been drained of their hard-earned money and their cases would have been complicated before getting to the real hospitals.
“They should desist from such acts as the arms of the law will soon touch them as there shall be no sacred cow.
“The general public is at risk as they would have been drained of their hard-earned money and their cases would have been complicated before getting to the real hospitals.
“Quackery is a crying evil that blows no one any good and all hands must be on deck to stamp it out in Oyo State to guard against its ruinous consequences”, the Oyo NMA Chairman added.
