The Kano State Ministry of Health has arrested several suspects accused of running an illegal medical outreach in Panshekara, Kumbotso Local Government Area, as part of efforts to protect residents from unlicensed healthcare providers.
The operation was carried out in collaboration with the Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA), the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), and the Kano State Police Command.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Nabilusi Abubakar, said the arrests followed credible information from members of the public about the unauthorised medical activity.
According to the Commissioner for Health, Abubakar Yusuf, a joint team from the Ministry of Health, PHIMA and KNCDC was immediately deployed to the location after receiving the report.
The suspects were arrested and later handed over to the Kano State Police Command. They are currently being held at the Bompai Police Headquarters while investigations continue.
The commissioner said the suspects were operating under the name Brother Paul Legacy Foundation, claiming to be a non-governmental organisation offering medical services.
Investigators found that the group was distributing registration cards bearing the organisation’s name and collecting money from members of the public under the pretext of providing healthcare.
Preliminary investigations revealed that neither the alleged founder nor other members of the group were qualified healthcare professionals or possessed recognised medical certifications.
The ministry also discovered that the registration cards, which carried an address in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, promised “free treatment” as a way of attracting unsuspecting residents.
Yusuf advised members of the public to seek medical care only from government-approved health facilities and licensed healthcare professionals.
He also praised the Kano State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Bakori, for its swift response, and commended the residents whose timely report led to the arrest of the suspects.
The commissioner urged the public to continue reporting suspicious medical activities, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to eliminating quack healthcare practices and ensuring safe, ethical and professional medical services across Kano State.
