31 doctors to face disciplinary panel over professional misconduct

No fewer than 31 health professionals comprising of medical doctors and dentists would appear before the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (MDPDT) for alleged professional misconduct on Monday.

The trial is a routine exercise by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), for doctors who have been reported by unsatisfied patients to had erred and violated professional ethics or code.

The trial which will run till Thursday, will provide opportunities for the accused doctors to defend themselves either in person or be represented by a legal counsel.

Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), had advised patients who are unsatisfied with the professional conduct of the medical doctors to always approach MDCN using various communication channels to report such cases to the Council and expect justice.

According  to a document obtained from the MDCN indicated that, “Out of the 31 doctors that would appear before the Prof. Abba Waziri led disciplinary tribunal, four doctors are expecting final judgement on their matter after the successful completion of their trials in previous sittings of the tribunal.”

A senior staff of MDCN who pleaded anonymity also confirmed that two doctors would submit their written addresses for possible adoption of by the tribunal, while the remaining 25 doctors would be appearing before the tribunal for first time arraignment.

The staff hinted that some of the doctors may be convicted of their offenses because of indisputable fact about their cases, and they may risk the withdrawal of their practicing licenses.

MDCN disciplinary book recommended several punishment for erring doctors including outright withdrawal of practicing licence of any doctor convicted of gross negligence or other forms of professional misconduct.

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Kamila/The sun