The Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal on Thursday announced that it has suspended 12 doctors from practising their profession in Nigeria.

This is just as the tribunal declared that it has struck off the names of three physicians from the medical register of the council.

After seven sessions held between 2019 and 2021 on cases filed against 37 doctors for professional misconduct, the tribunal said that it found 20 doctors guilty of the charges levelled against them.

Delivering the panel’s ruling, tribunal chairman, Prof Abba Waziri Hassan, announced that the names of three doctors found guilty were erased from the register of the medical practitioners in Nigeria over “gross professional misconduct”.

They are:

Yakubu Hassan of Koji-Jimeta Clinic and Maternity, Jimeta Yola;
Sunday Elusoji University of Benin Teaching Hospital
Stephen Oludare Alaiyemola-Philadelphia Specialist Hospital, Apapa, Lagos State.

In the same vein, the tribunal chairman explained that the 12 doctors’ suspension ranged from three to six months respectively

Those suspended are:

Dr. Umar Nasiru Ibrahim -Al Noor Clinic and Maternity, Angwan Rogo, Jos Plateau State;
Dr. Nwikwu Mezie Vitalis-De Vital Care Hospital, Ojo Lagos State ;
Dr. Jamilu Muhammed -Martha Bamaiyi General Hospital. Zuru, Kebbi State , Dr. Charles Ikeji Kefland Family Hospital Apo Mechanic village Abuja, among others.

Those convicted and admonished are:

Dr. Babatunde Oyefara- Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State
Dr. Zakari Mohammed, Premier Clinic Gyadi Gyadi. Kano, Kano State.
Dr. Iyoha Joseph R-Jolad Hospital Gbagada, Lagos State
Dr. Sunday Ogafe Ojenuwah, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State
Dr. Ogunsanmi Sunday, Evening Light Dental Clinic, Jabi, Abuja.

The panel however noted that “If these doctors want to be reinstated, 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.”

The tribunal chair further stated that after the assignment period, the institution would recommend the doctor for reinstatement that they have improved their performance.

He observed that nine out of the 12 doctors suspended had since served their suspension, adding that one appealed against the tribunal’s decision while one was currently serving out his suspension.

Mr Hassan also disclosed that one of the doctors suspended died before the day the judgment on his case was to be enforced.

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

“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, the tribunal discharged and acquitted 10 doctors charged with professional misconduct.

“The last two cases involving Dr Fabian Upuji and Dr Shirish Tanksale, the defendants died before the date of arraignment at the tribunal,” said the tribunal chair.

The tribunal holds the same status as a high court. Doctors found guilty by the tribunal and wish to contest the judgment can only do so at the Court of Appeal.

(NAN)