Medical tribunal: Three doctors barred, 12 suspended over professional misconduct

The Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal says it has suspended 12 doctors and barred three others from medical practice in Nigeria.

According to NAN, the decision was taken after seven sessions held between 2019 and 2021 in which the tribunal reviewed cases filed against 37 doctors for various forms of professional misconduct.

Twenty doctors were found guilty of the charges levelled against them.

Delivering the ruling of the panel, Abba Hassan, chairman of the tribunal, said three of the doctors have been barred from practising medicine and will have their names erased from the medical register.

Hassan explained that for the suspended doctors, the suspension will last for a period ranging between three and six months.

“The COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria and the attendant disruptions impeded the frequency of the sittings of the tribunal. Despite this, the tribunal has held seven sessions within which it has adjudicated over 37 cases,” Hassan said.

“As provided under Section 16 (1) (2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap M8 LFN 2004 (as amended), the tribunal has found Dr Yakubu Hassan working at Koji-Jimeta Clinic and Maternity, Yola, guilty of professional misconduct.

“Dr Sunday Elusoji working at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Dr Stephen Oludare Alaiyemola of Philadelphia Specialist Hospital, Lagos, are also found guilty of the charges.

“The registrar has been directed to erase these three names from the register of medical practitioners in Nigeria to wit. Elusoji has, however, appealed against the decision of the panel.

“If these doctors want to be re-instated, they need to apply to the tribunal. A letter will be sent to an institution where they will be assigned to work under supervision for a period of six months to one year.”

Hassan stated that after the period of assignment, the institution where the barred doctor has been assigned must recommend the doctor for reinstatement with the assurance that the person has improved in their performance.

He observed that nine out of the 12 doctors suspended have since served their suspension, adding that one of the doctors appealed against the decision of the tribunal, while another is currently serving out his suspension.

Hassan said one of the suspended doctors died before judgment on his case was to be enforced.

“Dr Adolphus Oraifo-Oriaifo, who worked at Memorial Hospital Benin City, Edo state, passed on before the date of enforcement. He was to serve a six months suspension; may his soul rest in peace,” he said.

“Six of the doctors found guilty showed remorse over their actions and promised to work diligently and not repeat their actions, and so the tribunal has admonished them and allowed them to continue their practice.”

According to Hassan, 10 other doctors who had various cases of professional misconduct filed against them were discharged and acquitted.

“Seven of the cases were struck out. Three were struck out because the prosecution withdrew the charges; for two of the cases, the registrar of the council advised that they be treated administratively,” he said.

“[On] the last two cases involving Dr Fabian Upuji and Dr Shirish Tanksale, the defendants died before the date of arraignment at the tribunal.”

According to NAN, the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal holds the same status as a high court, and doctors found guilty and who wish to contest the tribunal’s judgment can do so at the court of appeal.