The Niger State Private Health Facilities Agency (NiSPHFA) has intensified its enforcement drive against illegal and substandard healthcare providers, shutting down 11 private health facilities in Suleja Local Government Area over multiple regulatory infractions.
The affected facilities, comprising hospitals, clinics, and radiodiagnostic centres, were sealed by the Agency’s Task Force during a compliance operation aimed at sanitising the private healthcare sector.
The closures followed offences including failure to register with the regulatory authority, poor hygiene standards, and operating beyond the scope of services approved by the agency.
Speaking on the development on Friday, the Director of Operations at NiSPHFA, Sadiq Hussaini, said the exercise formed part of ongoing efforts to identify unregistered and non-compliant health institutions across the state.
He explained that the operation involved unannounced inspections designed to ensure that private healthcare providers comply with established professional and legal standards.
Hussaini stressed that the objective was not merely punitive but also to compel operators to regularise their status and improve service delivery.
He noted that the agency remained committed to protecting residents from unsafe medical practices and substandard healthcare services, warning that facilities operating outside the law would continue to face sanctions.
Reacting to the development, the Executive Chairman of NiSPHFA, Abdullahi Suleiman, said the agency was not engaged in a witch-hunt but was focused on safeguarding public health and restoring confidence in healthcare delivery across the state.
Suleiman revealed that although an estimated 4,000 private health facilities are currently operating in Niger State, only about 300 are properly registered and compliant with regulatory requirements.
He described the situation as alarming, underscoring the need for stricter monitoring and enforcement to address the growing number of illegal operators.
The chairman expressed concern over the proliferation of unaccredited health institutions, including hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and health training schools, many of which allegedly operate without the required licences, accreditation, or professional oversight.
He warned that the continued operation of such facilities poses serious risks to public health, including misdiagnosis, poor treatment outcomes, and exposure to unsafe medical practices.
NiSPHFA reiterated its commitment to sustaining the enforcement campaign across all parts of the state and urged owners of private health facilities to comply with registration and operational guidelines to avoid sanctions.
The agency also called on members of the public to patronise only accredited healthcare institutions and report suspected illegal facilities to the appropriate authorities as part of efforts to improve healthcare standards and protect lives.