The family of the late eighty-three-year-old John Manu, yesterday, apologised to the Taraba State chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors and Management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, for assaulting a doctor.
The apology, which took place at the state headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Jalingo, was to facilitate the release of Manu’s body as well as serve as a deterrent to others.
The family allegedly assaulted a medical doctor, who tried to save the late Manu, who was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver in Jalingo.
Manu later died following multiple head injuries.
The Guardian learnt that family members of the deceased would have lynched the doctor and nurses on duty after his death, but for the quick intervention of security operatives and staff of the FMC.
Worried by the family’s alleged misdemeanours, resident doctors led by Taraba State chairman, Dr. Alheri Bulus, resolved not to release the remains of the deceased until a public apology is tendered by the family.
The association’s decision was to serve as a deterrent to other patients’ families who would want to vent their grievances on medical doctors or health workers.
Narrating his ordeal, Dr. Oseyenim Ezenwa, said but for the swift intervention of some hospital workers and security personnel, he would have been badly injured and killed.
Stressing how traumatised he was, following the attack and insults rained on him by the family, Dr. Ezenwa lauded his colleagues who, according to him, had taken the case on their shoulders.
Speaking on behalf of the family, John Konkini, vowed never to indulge in such an act, stating: “We are indeed very sorry for such an ugly behaviour.”
The family also admitted that such ill acts are capable of disrupting medical activities in the entire hospital.
They called on the hospital management and citizens of the state to help convey their apologies to the hospital’s doctors and others across the state.
Meanwhile, a son of the deceased was still in police custody as a result of the assault.
