120 medical practitioners under investigation over medical negligence
About 120 medical practitioners are currently being investigated as a result of allegation cases by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria over medical negligence and 70 are facing trial.
The council’s Registrar, Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, confirmed the investigation and the trial of the doctors amid increasing outcry about negligence on the part of some medical practitioners, leading to the deaths of their patients.
The medical and dental council of Nigeria has the responsibility of regulating the practice of medicine, dentistry and alternative medicine in the most efficient manner that safeguards the best healthcare delivery for Nigerians.
There was a public outcry over the death of a chef, Mrs. Peju Ugboma, whose death was said to have been due to negligence by a medical practitioner at the Premier Specialists’ Medical Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos State, during the week.
The chef was said to have died after undergoing a botched surgery for fibroid related ailment at the hospital.
She suffered internal bleeding after the surgery, which made her condition deteriorate and she was later admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital where she was placed on a respirator.
The deceased’s family accused the hospital of sedating her intravenously while also adding that the management of the hospital moved her to another hospital in Lekki, Evercare Hospital, for CT scan and dialysis.
It was discovered that she did not have a pulse and emergency CPR was performed before she was pronounced dead.
Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, said the council was doing all it could to make sure that practitioners who had petitions written against them were thoroughly investigated and those found guilty were disciplined appropriately.
“The council usually moved around the country and ensured investigations were carried out close to the scenes of the incidents.
“This was necessary to ensure that the investigations were thorough and detailed. Those who are found guilty will be disciplined appropriately.
“The council’s tribunal would be meeting next month to decide on some of the pending cases.
“We are currently investigating over 120 cases while 70 are already facing a tribunal,” Sanusi said.
He mentioned that the situation might continue until when those found guilty in that regard began to lose their licences.
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Punch/Martha M
