Prof Elusoji, UBTH surgeon, banned from practicing medicine for life.
In a verdict that came as a rude shock to many especially the Nigerian medical community, a medical doctor, Prof Sunday Elusoji, who is a practicing Surgeon at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and a lecturer in UNIBEN has been banned permanently from practicing medicine, his medical licence withdrawn and delisted from the register of doctors in Nigeria by the the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. Dr Elusoji was accused and found guilty of three- count charge bordering on overwhelming evidences of medical malpractices, illegality, treatment impersonation and false pretence.
He was sentenced for conducting himself infamously while attending to one Mr. Uwa Osagie for gunshot injuries at his private hospital; Our Medical Centre (a.k.a Our Hospital) at No. 2, Jemila Road, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, Edo state.
In a four-count charge, Elusoji, who is a registered Medical Practitioner and Consultant General Surgeon with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State, was found guilty of a three-count charge of malpractice, operating his private clinic while under the employment of the UBTH and pretended to have managed the said patient at the UBTH by issuing a medical report using the letterheaded paper of the UBTH.
Although the patient eventually lost his right leg, the Prosecution Counsel could not prove the manner in which Elusoji administered the treatment on the patient caused the patient’s loss of leg.
The patient (the complainant) had on the 10th of March, 2013, visited the said doctor after sustaining a gunshot injury to his right leg from robbers.
The doctor however failed to take an x-ray on the patient to determine the level of damage before he carried out treatment on the patient. He also did not invite an orthopedic surgeon who is more suitable surgeon/specialist for such surgical procedures like amputation.
Also, instead of treating the patient in his primary place of employment, he managed the patient at his private clinic even without the input ans expertise of an orthopedic surgeon.
While delivering his judgment in Abuja, Chairman of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, Prof Abba Waziri Hassan, said: “There is no moral justification to an act of malpractice, the respondent ought to know based on his standing in the profession that his action is unethical.
“This count has been established by the prosecution, and it is really so unfortunate that the respondent who is a Professor of Surgery in the School of Medicine will engage in such an unprofessional and infamous conduct in a professional respect. The tribunal finds the respondent guilty as charged under this count.
“On count four, the tribunal finds that the respondent owns and operates ‘Our Medical Centre,’ admitted patients who by themselves deposed to witness statement on oath in support of a civil suit he filed at the High court, that is the witness statements on oath of Edna Ebasonah, Sandra Owie, both of whom attest to the fact that the respondent is the proprietor of the clinic.
“The tribunal therefore has no difficulty based on the totality of the overwhelming evidence placed before this tribunal – to find the respondent guilty as charged on count 4. His name is struck-off the Register and banned from practicing henceforth.” He said.
As at the time if filing this report, Nimedhealth could not tell if Prof Elusoji will appeal this judgement in a higher court.
Update:
Prof Elusoji won his appeal and out of court settlement is ongoing.
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