MDCN arraigns two surgeons for gross professional negligence

Two medical doctors, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr. Silas Ochejele, and a consultant plastic surgeon, Dr. Adeshina Jenrola, of Madonna Hospital Makurdi, Benue State have been arraigned before the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Tribunal for gross professional negligence, which led to gangrene of a patient’s left wrist and its amputation thereof.

The Secretary to the Tribunal, Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, who read the one count charge, said Dr. Ochejele between 10 and 18th June 2009 or thereabouts while managing one Rebecca Olatunbosun (1), as a patient under his care, was grossly negligent in her management adding that Dr. Ochejele failed to supervise and ensure that her treatment was properly supervised by his subordinates for the management of the patient’s condition, leading to gangrene of her left wrist and its amputation thereof, and thereby, conducted yourself infamously in a professional respect contrary to Rules 29.4.3 and 31 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria, 2008 Edition, and punishable under Section 16 (1) (a) and (2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act.

The tribunal scribe also observed plastic surgeon, Dr. Jenrola, between 10 and 18th June 2009 or thereabouts while managing Rebecca Olatunbosun, as a patient under his care, was grossly negligent in her management.

Tajudeen noted that the doctor failed to do all that was appropriate for the management of the patient’s condition, and thereby, conducted himself infamously in a professional respect contrary to Rules 29.4h and 31 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria, 2008 Edition, and punishable under Section 16 (1) and 2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act CAP. M8 LFN 2004 (as amended)

The prosecuting counsel, Sunusi Musa, told journalists that the patient went in for fibroid surgery but regrettably, returned with her hand amputated adding that there was a complete negligence during blood transfusion which led to gangrene (death of body tissue due to either lack of blood flow or a serious bacterial infection).

According to him, preliminary finding showed that the consultant gynaecologist, Dr. Ochejele, engaged the patient in blood transfusion to enable him conduct the surgery, but could not complete the process, and then invited the consultant plastic surgeon, Dr. Jenrola, to assist, which both of them could not handle, thus resulting in gangrene, which led to the amputation of the arm.

He said: “In such a situation, the doctors cannot be allowed to go scot-free because the patient has had permanent injury, in this case lost hand. The patient is a Secretary by profession, and with this, she won’t be able to function maximally and her source of livelihood is grossly affected. This kind of situation is a dent on the image of the profession and should not be allowed.”

One of the accused persons, Dr. Jenrola, who pleaded not guilty to the one count charge of professional misconduct, was, however, reminded by the tribunal that the offence is contrary to Rules 29.4h and 31 of Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria, 2008 edition, and punishable under sections 16 (1) (a) and (2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act CAP M8LFN 2004 (as amended).

The lawyer to Dr. Jenrola, Tarkaa Akula, expressed confidence that his client will be discharged and acquitted as soon as possible because, according to him, the prosecution cannot prove their case based on available records, which has no evidence implicating his client. About 18 other medical doctors are appearing before the tribunal for various offences.