The Rivers State Government has said it is investigating complaints by some nursing mothers that vaccines are being sold by personnel in health centres.
The government said any staff caught selling vaccines would face disciplinary actions.
The Executive Director of the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr Kinikanwo Green, said this when he paid an unscheduled visit to Obio Cottage and Rumuokwurishi Health Centre in the Obio/Akpotha Local Government Area of the state.
A nursing mother, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said the first time she took her son to a facility she was asked to part with some money.
“The second time, I was told to pay N9,000 for one (vaccine) for first-time mum.
“When I travelled, the other hospitals where I took the injection didn’t ask for anything.”
Addressing the mothers at the Obio Cottage Hospital, Kinikanwo said he was specifically at the hospital to probe allegations of vaccine sale.
He said the administration of Governor Siminilayi Fubara had made children immusation free, stressing that health workers extorting money from mothers would be found out and punished.
Kinikanwo said, “We are taking it very seriously. The board has also noted one or two personnel and, of course, disciplinary actions will be taken against those culpable.
“We have already set up a disciplinary committee to look into this and, of course, recommendations will be made, and we will carry out the necessary punitive measures against the errant officials.”
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