From Anietie Akpan, Calabar

The state government warned that any church, spiritual home, or prayer house that contravenes this order would be shut down immediately and their leaders prosecuted.

This warning was contained in a statement dated May 24 by Governor Donald Duke.

It reads: "The state government has observed with great dismay the unwholesome practice where some churches, prayer houses and spiritual homes take over the roles of hospitals and clinics by embarking on the provision of medical attention for their members in the churches under the umbrella of miracle healing, instead of providing the required spiritual guidance, support and direction.

"The government observed that cases abound where patients with severe medical conditions are retained in churches for healing, instead of being referred to hospitals for proper diagnosis and treatment. It is only when such churches find that the conditions of patients have become hopeless that they release them to hospitals."

According to the state government, "this trend has led to quite a large number of deaths in circumstances where early and adequate clinical consultations in hospitals would have prevented such deaths."

The statement read that the menace should not be allowed to continue because government has a responsibility to ensure the protection of the lives of its citizenry at all times.

"Therefore, government views this ugly trend with extreme concern and takes very serious exception to this growing practice. Even though it acknowledges the positive spiritual roles of churches on the lives of their members and citizens, it firmly rejects them playing the role of hospitals for which they are neither equipped nor qualified," Duke said.

He warned that no church, religious or spiritual establishments in the state should have in their custody or retain persons with visibly medical conditions for treatment.

"Church leaders in Cross River State are required to keep strictly to the established roles of providing spiritual guidance and moral direction to adherents and to note that any church conducting itself otherwise will be shut down and their leaders prosecuted under the criminal laws of the state," the government warned.

However, the government encouraged all willing and capable church organisations to establish standard hospitals and clinics in line with established guidelines if they so desire.