The Anti-Quackery Committee of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Rivers State has apprehended a fraudulent individual posing as a medical doctor.
The suspect, identified as Mr. Echi Igbo Michael, was captured during an interview for the position of a medical officer at Port Harcourt Military Hospital.
Led by Dr. Ebbi Robinson, the NMA chairman in Rivers State, the Anti-Quackery Committee has been at the forefront of efforts to weed out impostors from the medical profession. The arrest of Mr. Echi serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment to uphold the integrity and standards of medical practice in the state.
According to the committee’s findings, Mr. Echi had been masquerading as a medical doctor for the past two years, despite lacking the requisite qualifications. Hailing from the Cross River State University of Science and Technology (CRUTECH), where he graduated with a degree in Banking and Finance, Mr. Echi’s fraudulent activities went undetected until a tip-off prompted an investigation into his credentials.
Dr. Hope Avundaa, the state secretary of the NMA, revealed that Mr. Echi’s deception unraveled when he applied for an NMA identity card. Upon scrutiny, it was discovered that he had submitted falsified documents, including a counterfeit MBBS certificate purportedly from the University of Port Harcourt (2017) and a forged MDCN full registration certificate (2023).
The revelation sent shockwaves through the medical community, as Mr. Echi had managed to infiltrate the healthcare system and even secure a position at the prestigious Port Harcourt Military Hospital. It was during his application for the NMA ID card that his facade began to crumble, leading to his eventual apprehension by the Anti-Quackery Committee.
In a statement issued by the NMA, Dr. Avundaa expressed gratitude to the authorities of the military hospital for their cooperation in apprehending the impostor. The statement also affirmed the association’s commitment to ensuring that Mr. Echi faces the full weight of the law for his fraudulent activities.
The arrest of Mr. Echi underscores the grave consequences of medical quackery and the urgent need for heightened vigilance within the healthcare sector. The NMA’s Anti-Quackery Committee remains vigilant in its efforts to safeguard the public from unscrupulous individuals who seek to exploit vulnerabilities in the medical system for personal gain.
Furthermore, the incident serves as a wake-up call for authorities to strengthen regulatory mechanisms and enhance scrutiny of medical credentials to prevent similar occurrences in the future. By bolstering measures to verify the authenticity of medical qualifications and licenses, the healthcare system can better protect patients and uphold the standards of professional ethics and integrity.
As Mr. Echi awaits prosecution for his fraudulent actions, the NMA urges members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to medical practice. Together, through collective vigilance and decisive action, stakeholders can effectively combat medical quackery and ensure the delivery of safe and quality healthcare services to all Nigerians.
