The management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Daura has suspended a doctor for three months following charges of inadequate reaction to an emergency situation involving a patient who died after being transferred to another facility.
Dr. Umar Farouk, the hospital’s Medical Director, confirmed the disciplinary action in response to concerns voiced by the deceased’s family through legal representation.
Farouk added that the patient was referred to FMC Daura from the Armed Forces Reference Hospital in Daura on April 23 after allegedly developing difficulties from a blood transfusion given at the referring institution.
According to him, the patient was initially admitted to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit before being transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for specialised care.
He admitted that the doctor on call at the time failed to respond quickly to the situation, necessitating involvement by hospital management.
“The patient arrived in critical condition, and when it became evident that the on-call doctor had not responded appropriately, I was phoned in the early hours of the morning. I arrived at the hospital about 4 a.m., attended to the patient, resuscitated her, and stabilised her in the ICU,” Farouk explained.
The medical director stated that the hospital immediately directed its SERVICOM unit to explore the reasons for the delayed response.
“The investigation report was submitted to management, and the doctor concerned has been suspended for three months pending the outcome of further investigations,” he stated.
Farouk further stated that the patient’s relatives requested that she be transported to the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina, which FMC Daura accepted.
He stated that the hospital supplied an ambulance and an intensive care nurse to accompany the patient on the transfer.
“After the transfer, we learned that the patient had died in Katsina. “We don’t know what happened to her there,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Kano-based law firm, Abdullahi Mohammed & Co. (Jurist Chamber), acting on behalf of the family, has given a 14-day ultimatum to hospital administration, requesting the completion of investigations and disclosure of disciplinary steps resulting from the occurrence.
Farouk confirmed receipt of the legal correspondence, stating that the subject had been sent to the hospital’s legal department.
“We responded through our legal officer, advising them of the actions that have already been taken, such as the doctor’s suspension and ongoing investigations. We are urging the family to accept due process while management continues to handle the situation professionally,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to accountability, emphasising that any staff member found guilty following the conclusion of investigations would face appropriate punishment.