Unlicensed health facilities threaten lives in Ketu South — Director warns

Ketu South Municipal Health Director David Agbokpe has warned the public against patronising unlicensed health facilities, stressing that their operations pose serious risks to patients’ lives.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Agbokpe said facilities operating without authorisation continue to endanger unsuspecting patients through unsafe and unregulated practices.

He explained that such operators often delay referring patients to appropriate facilities, holding them until their conditions deteriorate before allowing them to seek proper care at approved centres. “In some cases, they hold on to patients until their conditions worsen before allowing them to seek proper care at approved facilities, and unfortunately, some victims do not survive the delay,” he said.

The Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA), Volta/Oti Regional Office, recently closed down about 22 unlicensed health facilities in the municipality. Offences ranged from operating without licences to the use of expired drugs and practices that do not conform to acceptable healthcare standards.

Mr Agbokpe cited a case currently being handled at the Ketu South Municipal Hospital where a patient suffered complications after receiving an injection at an unlicensed facility, resulting in loss of the person’s ability to work.

He noted that many of these facilities operate within private residences, making monitoring difficult, yet their impact on the healthcare system remains significant.

“These activities undermine quality healthcare delivery and put additional pressure on approved facilities that eventually have to manage complications,” he added.

Mr Agbokpe urged residents to verify the status of health facilities before seeking care and to report suspicious operators to the appropriate authorities. He emphasised the need for continuous public education and collaboration with regulatory bodies to clamp down on illegal practices and safeguard public health.

The Municipal Health Directorate reiterated its commitment to working with HeFRA and other stakeholders to ensure that only qualified and licensed facilities provide healthcare services in the municipality.