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120 Medical Practitioners Under Probe, 70 Facing Trial For Negligence
Over 120 cases of allegations of professional negligence against medical practitioners operating in Nigeria are currently being investigated by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
The cases, it was further learnt, were apart from the 70 other cases that had been concluded and sent to the council’s tribunal, Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, for prosecution.
The MDCN is saddled with the responsibility of regulating the practice of medicine, dentistry and alternative medicine in the most efficient manner that safeguards best healthcare delivery for Nigerians.
The council’s Registrar, Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, confirmed the probe and the trial of the doctors at the weekend, amid increasing outcry about negligence on the part of some medical practitioners, leading to the deaths of their patients.
During the week, there was a public outcry over the death of a chef, Mrs Peju Ugboma, whose death was said to have been due to negligence by a medical practitioner at the Premier Specialists’ Medical Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
Peju was said to have died after undergoing a botched surgery for fibroid related ailment at the hospital.
The deceased was said to have suffered internal bleeding after the surgery which made her condition deteriorate and she was later admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital where she was placed on a respirator.
According to the report, the deceased’s family accused the hospital of sedating her intravenously while also adding that the management of the hospital moved her to another hospital in Lekki, Evercare Hospital, for CT scan and dialysis but it was discovered that she did not have a pulse and emergency CPR was performed before she was pronounced dead.
When approached on the council’s investigations as far as medical practitioners were concerned, Sanusi said the council was doing all it could to make sure that practitioners who had petitions written against them were thoroughly investigated and those found guilty were disciplined appropriately.
In investigating the petitions against practitioners, he said the council usually moved around the country and ensured investigations were carried out close to the scenes of the incidents.
This, he explained, was necessary to ensure that the investigations were thorough and detailed.
He disclosed that the council’s tribunal would be meeting next month to decide on some of the pending cases.
Sanusi said, “We are currently investigating over 120 cases while 70 are already facing a tribunal.
“As you are aware, the tribunal is our judicial arm. The tribunal met two months ago and it is going to meet next month.
“Those who are found guilty will be disciplined appropriately.
“For investigations, we move round the country, we make sure that we take the investigations as close as possible to the scenes of the incidents so that we don’t miss out on any detail.”
In an interview, a Nigerian doctor based in Russia, Dr Ruth Keyomoah, frowned at negligence on the part of medical workers.
He argued that the ugly situation might continue until when those found wanting in that regard began to lose their licences.
“One of the things we need to realise is that until medical doctors in Nigeria start to lose their licences, we will continue to experience medical negligence,” Keyomoah added.
The governor has also pledged to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Bille with a view to addressing the health challenges confronting the community.
Fubara made the pledge on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt during an enlarged meeting of key stakeholders, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, the state government and leaders of the community.
The meeting was held to review the situation in the community and explore available opportunities to save the people from the adverse impacts of environmental pollution.
Addressing the journalists at the end of the meeting, the governor acknowledged the determination of the Federal Government and its agencies to get to the root cause of the problem in Bille and ensure that it is resolved permanently.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. You’re aware that there is a case of gas leakage somewhere in Bille and the people have been making some requests that the government should come to their rescue to resolve the situation.
“As a state, we have gone to see the situation in the community, not alone but in conjunction with the industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. What we are doing today is an enlarged meeting where all the parties are sitting together to look at the cause of the issue and the most possible way to get the problem resolved,” he said.
Fubara described the outcome of the meeting as successful, stressing that more action would be taken in the next couple of weeks to ensure that the issue is fully resolved.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting, expressed appreciation to the governor for his warm hospitality and efforts to address the challenge in Bille community.
Ekpo explained that contrary to the perception in certain quarters, the Federal Government has not been silent over the “gas seepage” but has been working tirelessly towards finding a sustainable solution.
The minister explained that as soon as the incident was reported, the Federal Government deployed experts to the area to understudy the cause of the problem.
According to him, it was difficult at first to understand the cause of the problem since there were no oil or gas infrastructure within the vicinity of the incident, hence the need to conduct a more detailed investigation.
“The investigation is still going but we decided to do a follow-up visit to the area to talk to the people of Bille Community that we need collaboration on their part so that we would be able to arrive at a lasting solution.
“The safety of the people is paramount. We can understand their anxiety, the worry and the danger that this thing poses within the area, but the Federal Government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem. The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and that is exactly why we are here to go and see things for ourselves,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, also explained that as the regulatory agency at the centre of the issue, no effort will be spared in the task of resolving the issue.
Eyesan pledged that the NUPRC and operators in the industry were prepared to address the requests of the impacted people in terms of the provision of potable water and fire trucks to the community.
The Public Relations Officer, Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, had during the meeting, presented the challenges facing the community and pleaded for government’s support to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.
The President stated that the scheme is aimed at creating jobs, closing the country’s metering gap and improving electricity supply.
The President disclosed this in a statement on his verified X handle yesterday, describing the initiative, tagged “The Power Force,” as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand employment opportunities for young people.
According to Tinubu, the programme will equip participants with practical technical skills and connect them to employment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector.
“Through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which I established to close Nigeria’s metering gap, end estimated billing, protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market, we are opening a new pathway for 5,000 young Nigerians to be trained as meter installers and technicians under The Power Force. This programme is about jobs, skills and dignity,” he said.
Tinubu said the training would be open to eligible Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, with a dedicated quota reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps.
He noted that expanding electricity metering was critical to improving service delivery and promoting transparency in the power sector.
“When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use. When electricity distribution companies collect revenues more transparently and fairly, they are better able to reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections and invest in better service.
“This is how we build a power sector that is fairer to consumers, stronger for investors and better able to deliver reliable electricity to the Nigerian people,” the President said.
Tinubu said he had directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
He encouraged qualified young Nigerians to apply, saying the initiative would provide them with marketable skills while supporting efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve electricity access nationwide.
“I encourage eligible young Nigerians to apply. Join The Power Force. Learn a skill. Earn with dignity. Help us end estimated billing and be part of the work to light up Nigeria,” he added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.
It said the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa.
“The third evacuation flight operated by Air Peace will depart Johannesburg today by 12 midnight with 271 returnees. The estimated time of arrival in Lagos is 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026,” the statement read.
The latest batch of returnees follows earlier evacuation flights that brought hundreds of Nigerians back to the country under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.