The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Disciplinary Tribunal has convicted a medical doctor, working with the Wuse District Hospital, Abuja, Dr Robert Osasikhu-Omoregbe for conducting himself infamously in professional respect when he offered in-hospital care to one Mrs Elizabeth Peter Ndueso (F) (now deceased) at his private hospital Lucia-Ells Hospital Bwari, Abuja, contrary to Rule 49.1c of the code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria.
Out of the five count charges brought against Dr Omoregbe, the tribunal found him guilty on four counts and convicted Dr Omorogbe on counts 1, 2, 4 and 5 and therefore, suspended from practice for a period of nine months.
The Tribunal led by the Chairman, Prof. Abba Waziri, had during the trial that took place at the MDCN headquarters in Abuja, established that between 12th April and 18th June 2017, Dr Omoregbe, engaged in malpractice in the management of one Mrs Elizabeth Peter Ndueso (now deceased) who was an elderly post-menopausal woman under his care when he failed to refer her to a practitioner who is better skilled and equipped for the treatment of her condition, (symptomatic fibroid), causing her detriment.
The Tribunal also established that Dr Omoregbe, accepted to treat her condition even when it was clear that he (Dr Omoregbe) had serious limitations in providing optimal care for her condition, in addition to the fact that he also displayed gross negligence when he undertook the procedure of Total Abdominal Hysterectomy on her under suboptimal conditions until she died on the operation table.
Chairman of the Tribunal informed Dr Omoregbe through his Counsel that some of the offences are contrary to Rule 31 of the 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 M8 LFN 2004 (as amended), while others violate Rule 22.1b(i) and (ii), and 27 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 CAP M8 LFN 2004 (as amended).
Prof. Waziri recalled that on March 21st, 2018, one Mrs Elizabeth Ojonyene Max-Uba, Secretary to the Council of Legal Education and Director of Administration, in a petition noted that the respondent doctor admitted late Mrs Ndueso as a patient in his Hospital, Lucia Wells Hospital, Bwari, Abuja on June 17th, 2017.
The petitioner claimed that the facility had insufficient and limited medical equipment to handle emergencies, yet the respondent doctor proceeded to perform a high-risk surgery without blood transfusion and that he failed to act with reasonable caution, and exhibited gross negligence which led to the death of the patient.
The tribunal ruled that the Respondent, Dr Robert Osas Ikhu-Omoregbe having been convicted is thereby sentenced to 3 months suspension on counts 1, 2, 4 and six months suspension on
count 5 to run concurrently with immediate effect.