UPDATE ON FINDINGS OF INVESTIGATIVE PANEL ON CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF LATE BABY TAIWO ADETUNJI

 

The disturbing news of the death of Baby Taiwo Adetunji came to the attention of the Lagos State Ministry of Health through social media posts on 23rd of March, 2019 and subsequent newspaper publications. It was gathered that Baby Taiwo Adetunji suddenly took ill and was taken to the Pediatrics emergency unit of Alimosho General Hospital, for treatment. As corroborated by the patient’s hospital records, the decision was taken to refer the patient to LASUTH for further management owing to the suspected diagnosis of severe anemia with sepsis. Based on this, a referral letter was written and the patient  left the facility.

 

It came as a shock to the hospital management therefore that the patient ended up at a private practice and eventually died due to mismanagement and unprofessional conduct at the H.J. Clairaoowen Hospital, EGBEDA.

 

The Honourable Commissioner for Health Dr Jide Idris directed that a proper investigation be conducted into the case and instructed HEFAMAA (an agency responsible for accreditation and monitoring of health facility in the state) to inspect the facility. HEFAMAA visited the reported premises where it was discovered that the facility was operating illegally without being registered as its name/details could not be found in the agency database. 

The operations of the hospital were also headed by an "auxiliary" nurse named  Mr Dayo Badmus.   

 

The investigations by the Health Service Commission revealed the following:

a. Dr Joy  Ohirnigbe who was a volunteer staff of Alimosho General Hospital until 25th March 2019, was on call duty on the day the deceased child was brought to the hospital.

 

b. She was found to have ignored the established referral system and protocol of the hospital by not consulting with the Head of Pediatrics or communicating with the Nurses or the Ambulance section. Her decision was made singlehandedly for selfish and monetary gains.

 

c. Dr Joy flouted the conventional system of referral within the sector in which a patient is only referred from a secondary to a tertiary level of health care,  in this case, LASUTH as already indicated in the deceased patient’s case file.

 

d. Unknown to the Ministry, she illegally operates an unregistered health care facility where she employed quacks headed by Mr Dayo Badmus, an “auxiliary” nurse.

 

e. Her unprofessional and negligent conduct led to the death of the patient.

 

f. In a callous manner, she facilitated the quick disposal of the corpse without the required autopsy by instructing a nurse to give a Death certificate and advising on the burial location.

 

In view of the above, she has been found culpable and the matter has been referred to the State Ministry of Justice, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria as well as the Police for further action and prosecution if necessary. 

 

Two other staff found negligent through acts of omission have also been reprimanded and disciplined in accordance with Civil Service extant rules. 

 

The Honourable Commissioner  noted that there is no doubt that the issue at hand has underscored the need for a concerted effort by all stakeholders to eradicate quackery and other unprofessional conduct in health care delivery. According to him "we must join hands in ensuring that quacks find Lagos too hot a destination for their criminal operations . Let us  be provoked by the loss of this innocent life to push the criminals out of the state." 

 

"The outcome of this tragic incident is to serve as formal notice of the State’s renewed mission to rid the State of the life-threatening scourge of quacks and quackery.' 

 

Idris also sounded a note of warning to quacks operating in the State saying " the sanctions and punitive measures to be meted out for the illegal and unethical practices of criminally minded persons such as unearthed by this investigation will affirm the State’

 

He also revealed that  HEFAMAA has been repositioned and is being empowered to intensify its operations in tracking illegal health facilities in Lagos State. 

 

As an aftermath of this unfortunate incidence, the Honourable Commissioner  noted that the state  will also evolve strict supervisory strategies in overseeing the  health care staff to ensure that unprofessional and unethical conducts are completely eradicated. 

 

"We enjoin the people of Lagos to continue to uphold the confidence reposed in the health sector as we are totally committed to carrying out fully our mandate for a qualitative health care delivery." he said. 

 

Idris while  commisserating  with the bereaved family on the sad loss of baby Taiwo prayed for divine  comfort and consolation for  the entire family at this trying period..

 

Adeola Salako

Director Public Affairs

Ministry of Health Lagos state

3/4/2019