A fake doctor who allegedly conducted medical treatments in schools and places of worship across Plateau State has been apprehended.
The Plateau State chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr Bapigaan Audu, disclosed this in a statement released on Wednesday, March 20, which he co-signed with the association’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Istifanus Bako.
According to the NMA, the suspect, who operated under different names including George Ossai and Kelvin Paul, was apprehended in the Jos metropolis following an investigation jointly conducted by the association and officials from the state’s Ministry of Health.
The suspect was subsequently transferred to the police headquarters in Jos, where he was detained.
The statement partly read, “This is to inform our esteemed members and the general public that NMA Plateau, in collaboration with the Plateau State Ministry of Health, has facilitated the discreet investigation and subsequent arrest of another fake doctor engaging in nefarious activities in schools and places of worship across the state.
“The impostor, who goes by the names ‘George Ossai’ and ‘Kelvin Paul’, was apprehended on Monday, March 18, 2024, within the Jos metropolis and was transferred to the CID, Police Headquarters, Jos, the following day. The NMA Chairman has provided a statement to the police regarding the matter, while further investigations are ongoing.”
The association urged members of the public to report any suspected fake doctor to the NMA Plateau State through any of its officials.
It added that complaints could also be lodged with the Inspectorate Unit at the state’s Ministry of Health, Jos.
The statement added, “The NMA, while commending the security agencies for their cooperation, wishes to use this medium to urge the public to always seek the services of healthcare professionals within the confines of a health facility (clinic, hospital or medical centre) rather than engaging with anyone selling ‘medicines’ or claiming to be a medical doctor.”