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

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

Delivering the panel’s ruling, tribunal chairman Abba Hassan announced the banning of three doctors from practising in Nigeria.

Mr Hassan explained that the 12 doctors’ suspension ranged from three to 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,” said Mr Hassan. “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.”

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

The panel directed the registrar to erase the three doctors’ names from the register of medical practitioners in Nigeria.

Mr Elusoji has, however, appealed against the decision of the panel.

“If these doctors want to be reinstated, they need to apply to the tribunal,” noted the panel. “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 added 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)