The death of a 300-level computer science student of the Federal University Oye, Ekiti State (FUOYE) in the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex, Akure (UNIMETH) due to alleged negligence of the consultant doctor assigned to take charge of his treatment took a new turn, last week, after the dad petitioned the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), asking the body to investigate the sad incident.

19-year-old Adedotun Adebobola was admitted into UNIMEDTH on August 3, 2024 for the treatment of malaria and body pains and treatment assigned to Dr. (Mrs.) Bolanle Yemisi Alabi, a consultant doctor attached to the Haematology Department of the hospital, according to the father, Prince (Engr.) Bola Adebobola.“The incessant neglect of our client’s son continued and ultimately led to his untimely death on the 11th day of August, 2024, one which is obviously avoidable had the doctor administered the proper treatment and care”, Adebobola said in the petition dated September 2, written on his behalf by his solicitors, T. A. Oyolola & Co, and signed by O. M. Adejoh Esq.

It is titled, PETITION ON ALLEGED GROSS PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE OF DR. (MRS.) ALABI BOLANLE YEMISI (HAEMATOLOGY DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES TEACHING HOSPITAL COMPLEX AKURE, ONDO STATE) WHICH RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ADEDOTUN ADEBOBOLA, and addressed to the MDCN Registrar.

Copied are the UNIMEDTH Chief Medical Director and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). A separate petition had previously been sent to the UNIMEDTH CMD, Dr Adesina Akintan, who told Sunday Vanguard that Adedotun’s death was being investigated and that Alabi, who, he said, was on leave had been recalled to face a panel.

Akintan said the public would be informed on the outcome of the investigation, describing the death as unfortunate.

The bereaved dad narrated the events that led to his son’s death and pleaded with the MDCN to raise a committee to thoroughly investigate the matter, saying appropriate sanctions under the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act should apply “to serve as deterrent to other professionals if the doctor to whom my son was assigned for treatment is found guilty”.“We urge your good office to look into the alleged gross professional negligence and conduct of Dr. (Mrs.) Alabi Bolanle Yemisi which has caused a huge loss to our client and his family”, the petition said.

In a swift response to the petition, the Management of UNIMEDTH and the state chapter of the NMA have set up separate panels to investigate the sad incident.

Speaking to Sunday Vanguard, Ondo State Chairman of the NMA, Dr Olumuyiwa Alonge, said the association had set up a committee to probe the allegations against the doctor.

Alonge, who confirmed the receipt of the petition, said: “In fact the committee members have met and work has commenced to investigate the petition.“I want to confirm the receipt of the petition written by the father of the victim. We’ve set up a committee to look into the allegations.“The committee members have met and would continue to meet. They’ll come up with a report which would be made public”.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the state chapter of the NMA, Dr. Olaopa Olutobi Gideon, in a letter to the father of the victim, dated September 4, said, “l am writing to acknowledge the receipt of your petition letter dated 26th August 2024 and referenced as above which we received on the 27th of August 2024.“Our deepest sympathies go out to you at this difficult time. Please rest assured that we are already taking measures to address the concerns outlined in your letter and will communicate with you in the shortest possible time”.

Efforts to speak with the CMD of UNIMETH, Dr Akintan, on the progress of the work of the probe panel he claimed to have been inaugurated to probe Alabi proved abortive.