Map of Anambra State. Image:punchng.com
Six pregnant girls are rescued as Anambra busts a baby factory.
Six pregnant teens were freed from a “baby factory” in Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area, on Wednesday after the Anambra State Government and security personnel conducted an operation.
Following the raid, Dr. Afam Obidike, the state commissioner for health, informed reporters that the “baby factory” where the infants were being sold was called Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity, and it was situated on a road near Tansian University in Umunya.
According to Obidike, the discovery was made when the state’s Health Facility, Accreditation and Monitoring Unit arrived at the facility for a normal inspection.
He continued by saying that when the medical attendants asked to speak with the on-duty physician to find out why the clinic was not registered with the state government, they locked up the property and fled.
“Subsequently, security personnel from the Civil Defence Corps, OCHA-Brigade, and Police helped the monitoring team enter the facility,” he stated.
“What we witnessed when we entered the facility was startling.
We found six underage pregnant ladies who were supposedly tented against their preferences. They ranged in age from 14 to 21. “They alleged the facility’s operator will sell the infants after they are delivered.
“The police will conduct a further investigation into the five people who have been arrested in relation to the ‘factory.'”
He asked citizens to report any illegal activity, malpractice, or issues pertaining to state-funded healthcare services.
He reiterated the administration of Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s vow to eradicate phoney and fraudulent hospitals throughout the state.