Exclusive: How Fake Gynaecologist was Nabbed in Lagos!

On top of the one-storey building located at 163, Itire Road, Mushin, Lagos, is a bold inscription   ‘’JOSSY-JD LTD, Obstetric and Gynecology.”

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The poster of an expectant mother canvassing for patronage, adorned the upper floor of the building which was used as private hospital. The poster stated that any pregnant woman who patronises the hospital’s Radiology Department, would be entitled to a gift.

The hospital was a beehive of activities for couples seeking the fruit of the womb until last Thursday when it was sealed off by a team of medical personnel from Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria MDCN, and Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HEFAMAA.

Vanguard Metro, VM,  learnt that until its closure, the hospital met some basic requirements of a private hospital. The only snag was that it was run by a man alleged to be a quack.

The proprietor identified as Dr Sunday J. Bassey, an indigene of Cross River State, claimed that he had on his payroll, three midwives, a matron, a radiologist and other staff who rendered medical services to both in and out-patients.

VM was told that some staff of the hospital claimed that their boss works with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LUTH. According to them, he only comes to work in the clinic after closing officially at LUTH.

VM was also told Sunday, 37, claimed to have graduated from the University of Calabar in Cross River State before proceeding for further studies in India.

How the closure  was effected

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, team was led by the HOD Inspectorate, Dr Okwuokenye Henry while the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HEFAMAA, was led by its Executive Secretary, Dr Jimi Asuni.

The team which arrived the hospital with some policemen at about 10 am, went round the premises to inspect the facilities. They asked the “Dr Sunday” to present a certificate of competence which he failed to do. His patients were transferred to a government hospital while was thereafter arrested and taken to Alausa where he was handed over to the Police for further interrogation.

The HEFAMAA Executive Secretary,  Dr Asuni alleged that Sunday had been operating illegally in the area with doubtful certificates. He claimed that he (Sunday) does not possess any certificate of competence as required by the medical profession.

Also speaking to VM shortly after the closure, Dr Henry said the visit followed a tip-off, noting:  “We are here as a result of the report we got from a well meaning Nigerian who does not want evil to thrive in this country. The said Nigerian sent us an email that one of his classmates, who was withdrawn from the University of Calabar, has been practising as a medical doctor in Lagos.

“By our own techniques, we were able to locate the address after which we contacted the Lagos State Ministry of Health for assistance. It was discovered that the said hospital had filed an application for accreditation to operate a fertility centre.

“Its document also showed the proprietor possesses a Postgraduate Diploma in Medicine to operate as a gynecologist. He also claimed to have another certificate from an Indian College to operate as a fertility expert.

“Unfortunately, he included year 2002 MDCN license with the forged signature of Dr Oshoba Festus who only worked with us between 2006 and 2008. It was easy for me to identify the fake document because the Council’s Registrar as at  2002, was Dr. Okwudili Ezeani.

“Also, his license was  probational that was to last for only two years but he did not know that he needs to get a full license before he can practice as a professional,’’ he said.

Dr Henry explained that the closure of the facility was his body’s first raid in the new year, ‘’This body has recorded over 25 cases so far but this is our first operation in year 2014,’’ he said.

According to him, the Council’s Registrar, Dr. Abdulmumini Ibrahim mandated the body to fish out quacks wherever they are operating in the country.

“Our Registrar has given us a marching order to fish out quacks from all nook and crannies and we have a formidable force all over the federation that has been empowered to carry out such operations,’’ he added.

A visibly weighed down Dr Sunday could not respond when VM asked for his own side of the story. Pressed further, he retorted” I am dizzy and do not need to be disturbed on this issue.”

Meanwhile, the matter has been charged to the Magistrate Court 2, Ikeja. When the case came up for hearing last Friday, Sunday was granted bail with two responsible sureties who must be working and who have evidence of tax clearance Each to the sureties who must have verifiable addresses, was required to deposit N50,000. The case was later adjourned till March 7, 2014.

Courtesy of: vanguardngr