University To Investigate Why Supended Doctor Hid Information On Suspected COVID-19 Case

 

The authorities of the University of Ilorin said it has set up a committee to investigate, Kazeem Alakija Salami, a senior doctor at its Teaching Hospital suspended for hiding vital information about suspected COVID-19 case.

The hospital authorities had earlier accused Mr Salami of conniving to conceal from his colleagues' vital information on a suspected case who died at the hospital last Thursday.

The death of Muhideen Obanimomo, a 57-year-old UK returnee generated controversies among Kwara residents, particularly in Offa, where he hailed from. 

Although the state government earlier denied that it was a COVID-19 related case, the result of the samples taken showed that the wife of the deceased is positive for Coronavirus. 

The state government announced that it recorded two cases, which were its index cases, on Monday evening. One of the cases is Mrs Obanimomo, the spouse of the deceased. 

However, in a statement issued by the hospital on Monday evening, David Odaibo, UITH director of administration, Mr Salami was suspended sequel to his conduct in the management of the COVID-19 patient. 

Our correspondent gathered that the suspended Professor, who is in his late fifties, specialises in Infectious and non-infectious pulmonary diseases, which strikes out the thoughts of being ignorant of the deadly respiratory disease. 

Investigation

In a press statement signed by its Chief Medical Director, Professor A.D. Yusuff, the UITH management said it has constituted a Medical Investigation Committee on the COVID-19 Suspected Case.

The committee is headed by one Professor E.O. Afolayan while Professor B.S. Alabi, Professor (Mrs) G.F. Adepoju, Mrs I.A. Akosile, Deputy Director (Legal), Professor G.K. Oshagbemi, Dr L.J. Olosunde, the local President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Mr O.A. Olatunde, Chairman, UITH branch of JOHESU, Mr G.E. Salami and Mrs O.O. Olubolaji will serve as members of the committee.

According to the terms of reference, the Committee will investigate the process of admission, management and eventual release of the corpse.

Also, it will investigate the motives behind the concealment of accurate information provided by the patient's relative, determine the culpability of the patient's relative involved and make appropriate recommendations to forestall future recurrence of the act.

"This Committee is to submit their report within a week from the date of their first sitting.

Following directives from the Federal Ministry of Health, we swung into immediate actions, by upgrading our isolation centre with necessary facilities and retraining of our staff for any envisaged emergencies," the Federal facility noted.

Efforts

The medical chief added that refresher courses have been organized for all categories of staff of the UITH to braze them up for the pandemic.

Moreover, he stated that the number of staff reporting to work was reduced in line with strict compliance to the World Health Organization (WHO) directive on Social Distancing to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Synergies were built with other health care givers/ stake holders across the state, in readiness for any eventuality."

Mr Yusuff, however, made it known that the UITH staff with close contact with the deceased patient on the night of his admission, or his corpse have been ordered to proceed on self-isolation.

So far, the total number of infected people in the country is 254 as of the time of reporting including five deaths.

Cessation of movements is currently being enforced in Lagos, Ogun and FCT while there is partial lockdown in other states.