The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has withdrawn the license of Dr Yakubu Koji, a medical doctor based in Adamawa State. He was found guilty of surgically cutting off the kidneys of one Isa Hamma, now deceased, a patient under his care, without informing the patient of the nature of the operation and risks involved.
The Chairman of the tribunal sitting of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Prof Abba Hassan, today September 27, declared Koji guilty of conducting an operation on the deceased without having a good knowledge about the operation, what the organ he was to operate on is about and also conducting an operation without due approval from the victim. Koji had cut off the deceased Kidney before realizing its function. He claimed it was a mistake.
Professor Hassan who delivered judgement in a petition filed before the council, found Koji guilty. Delivering judge, he said
“The tribunal has no difficulty in resolving the sole issue against the respondent and in favour of the prosecution. The prosecution has proved all the counts of all the charges to warrant a conviction of the respondent.
“The respondent engaged in malpractice when he failed to use his considered judgment and sense of honour by acceding to the demand of his patient Isa Hamma, to undergo a surgery on him. The respondent exhibited incompetence in the assessment of Isa Hamma, a patient under his care.
“The respondent failed to correctly diagnose the illness of Isa Hamma, a patient under his care. The respondent failed to advice Isa Gamma, patient under his care. The respondent failed to obtain informed consent of one Isa Hamma, a patient under his care before undertaking a surgical operation on him.
“The respondent undertook a surgical operation in one Isa Hamma, and removed an organ he could not identify. The respondent failed to refer in good time when Isa Hamma, a patient under his care when such referral was necessary. The respondent failed to do all that he reasonably ought to have done under the circumstances in the treatment of one Isa Hamma, a patient under his care. The respondent failed to appropriately communicate with one Isa Hamma, a patient under his care with good regard to his condition.
“The respondent undertook a surgical procedure on one Isa Hamma which resulted to the loss of his kidneys. The respondent failed to conduct his medical duty in accordance with standard decorum and by methods adjudged acceptable and appropriate in the generality of the registered member of the Medical profession in the treatment of one Isa Hamma, a patient under his care.
“The respondent failed to pass on the details and history and treatment of one Isa Hamma, to Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, when he referred the patient to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.
“The respondent violated laws 29.4d, 29.4a, 29.4g, 29.4h, 29.4i, 31, 33, 33.1, 33.0 and 43.3 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria, 2008 Edition.”
The name of Dr. Yakubu Hassan Koji, is hereby struck out of the register of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.” the council held.