Three private hospitals shut over regulatory breaches in Niger

The Niger State Private Health Facilities Agency (NiSPHFA) has shut down three private hospitals for operating in violation of the state’s minimum healthcare standards, following a statewide inspection that cleared 66 other health facilities.

The affected hospitals are Supreme Clinic and Maternity, Rafin Sanyi; Fabram Peace Hospital Limited; and Godiya Hospital, all of which were sealed after inspectors found serious regulatory violations, including operating without registration and employing unqualified personnel.

The enforcement exercise covered 68 private hospitals, clinics, laboratories and diagnostic centres across Tafa, Suleja, Lapai and Agaie Local Government Areas as part of the agency’s routine compliance inspection.

According to a statement by the agency’s Information Officer, Muhammad Sani, the inspection assessed compliance with licensing requirements, staffing, infrastructure, environmental hygiene, and infection prevention and control measures.

The agency said 66 facilities met the required standards and were recommended for registration or renewal of their operating licences after satisfying regulatory requirements.

However, some facilities recorded deficiencies, including poor environmental hygiene, weak infection prevention and control measures, the employment of unqualified personnel, and failure to obtain valid operational licences.

While operators with minor infractions were directed to correct the identified lapses within specified timelines, the three hospitals were shut because of the gravity of the violations discovered during the inspection.

NiSPHFA reiterated its commitment to sustained monitoring, inspection and enforcement of healthcare standards across the state, stressing that only qualified and properly regulated private health facilities would be allowed to operate.

The agency said the ongoing enforcement drive is aimed at protecting residents from substandard healthcare services and improving public confidence in private healthcare delivery in Niger State.