….Ondo govt, NMA step in, set up probe panels
•We’ll get to root of matter – Health Commissioner.
•NMA 4-member team starts investigation.
•Commissioner overseeing inquiry – CMD.
•There’s ray of hope – Deceased teenager’s father
Ondo State government and the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have waded into alleged negligence by a consultant doctor in the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex, Akure (UNIMETH), Dr. (Mrs.) Bolanle Yemisi Alabi, over the death of a 300-level computer engineering student of Federal University Oye, Ekiti State (FUOYE), Adedotun Adebobola.
The state Health Commissioner, Dr Banji Ajaka, has stepped into the matter following the negative report it has generated since the ugly incident occurred in August.
Recall that the father of the victim, Prince (Engr.) Bola Adebobola, had petitioned the Ministry of Health, the NMA and the CMD of UNIMEDTH, alleging negligence on the part of Alabi, a consultant doctor attached to the Haematology Department of the hospital.Speaking with Sunday Vanguard, Ajaka vowed to get to the root of the matter.
The Commissioner, whose ministry has supervisory role over the tertiary health facility, described the incident as unfortunate, confirming that the doctor, who was on leave, has been recalled to face a panel following the petition against her by the father of the late 19-year-old undergraduate.
“We’re on top of the situation; we’ve set up a probe panel to look into the incident. I have personally spoken with the father of the boy and commiserated with the family”, he said.
Ajala promised that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and if any case of negligence was established, the officer in charge would face the music.
Meanwhile, Sunday Vanguard gathered that a four-member panel that was instituted by the state chapter of the NMA has met with the victim’s father, Adebobola, and other family members in Akure, the state capital.
Sources said that the parents of Adedotun explained to the panel in details what transpired between them and the doctor before the death of their child and how the doctor allegedly showed nonchalant attitude in the boy’s case.
Speaking with Sunday Vanguard, Adebobola confirmed that they met with the panel set up by the NMA.
The bereaved father said: “Yes, we met with the panel set up by the association. We were told that Dr (Mrs) Alabi would soon be invited to explain herself too.
“The meeting shows rays of hope on the investigation.
“We verbally explained how our son died due to apparent negligence.
“They told us that we shall very soon be informed about their resolution or be invited for another meeting.
“The panel however promised to do a judicious investigation”.
Also speaking, the CMD of UNIMEDTH Annex, Akure Complex, Dr Adesina Akintan, told Sunday Vanguard that the internal investigation on the matter was still on.
Akintan added that “the Health Commissioner, Dr Banji Ajaka, has taken over the whole process”.
Recall that Adedotun was admitted into UNIMEDTH, Akure annex on August 3, 2024 for the treatment of malaria and body pains and treatment, and assigned to Alabi, according to the father.
Adebobola, in his petition, dated September 2, and written on his behalf by his solicitors, T. A. Oyolola & Co, and signed by O. M. Adejoh Esq., said: “The incessant neglect of our client’s son continued and ultimately led to his untimely death on the 11th day of August, 2024, one which is obviously avoidable had the doctor administered the proper treatment and care”.
The petition titled, PETITION ON ALLEGED GROSS PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE OF DR. (MRS.) ALABI BOLANLE YEMISI (HAEMATOLOGY DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES TEACHING HOSPITAL COMPLEX AKURE, ONDO STATE) WHICH RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ADEDOTUN ADEBOBOLA, was addressed to the MDCN Registrar.
Copied are the UNIMEDTH CMD and NMA.
A separate petition had previously been sent to the UNIMEDTH CMD, Akintan, who told Sunday Vanguard that Adedotun’s death was being investigated and that Alabi, who, he said, was on leave had been recalled to face a panel.
Akintan said the public would be informed on the outcome of the investigation, describing the death as unfortunate.
The bereaved dad narrated the events that led to his son’s death and pleaded with the MDCN to raise a committee to thorough investigate the matter, saying appropriate sanctions under the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act should apply “to serve as deterrent to other professionals if the doctor to whom my son was assigned for treatment is found guilty”.
“We urge your good office to look into the alleged gross professional negligence and conduct of Dr. (Mrs.) Alabi Bolanle Yemisi which has caused a huge loss to our client and his family”, the petition said.
Credit: Vanguard
