Stakeholders Commend Lagos Assembly for Investigation into Adebola Akin-Bright Case | Cliptv Online

Stakeholders in the Nigerian health sector have praised the Lagos State House of Assembly for its thorough investigation into the case of late Adebola Akin-Bright, which involved ‘missing intestines.’ The commendations came during a public hearing on the matter attended by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, officials from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPNP) Lagos State Chapter, and other medical professionals.

The investigation, led by Hon. Noheem Adams and his ad-hoc committee, was hailed as diligent and comprehensive by the stakeholders. They also acknowledged the infractions identified during the surgery as reported by the House.

During the investigation, concerns were raised about the absence of a medical doctor on the panel, which ANPNP had previously criticized. However, a video presented during the hearing demonstrated that Dr. Abayewu, the surgeon, had ample opportunity to defend his actions. He admitted to inadvertently discarding three parts of Master Akin-Bright’s intestines instead of sending them for histology.

It was also revealed that auxiliary nurses, rather than qualified medical staff, were involved in the surgery at Obitoks Hospital. Dr. Abayewu confirmed the accuracy of the video recording.

In response to the findings, Prof. Abayomi disclosed that the Ministry of Health had temporarily suspended the operation of Obitoks Hospital’s theatre due to its lack of adherence to medical standards.

Prof. Abayomi explained that when Master Akin-Bright was admitted to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), he was critically ill and required stabilization before undergoing surgery. During the LASUTH surgery, doctors discovered a significant portion of the small intestine missing, a highly unusual occurrence.

Prof. Abayomi suggested that the private hospital may have inadvertently damaged the blood supply to the small intestine, causing it to deteriorate and be absorbed by the body.

The State Ministry of Health has forwarded its findings to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for further investigation and potential sanctions.

The NMA applauded the House’s investigation but urged that the MDCN be allowed to conduct its inquiry. They emphasized the importance of allowing the medical council to handle professional matters.

Dr. Kayode Akinlade, a former NMA chairman in Lagos, expressed gratitude to the House for diligently pursuing the case and acknowledged the importance of private practitioners maintaining public trust.

Dr. Tunji Akintade suggested the incident serves as a lesson for both medical practitioners and the government, emphasizing the need for an adaptive referral system and improved communication between healthcare facilities.

Hon. Adams, the Majority Leader of the House, thanked the participants and announced that the public hearing’s report would be presented to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, and the entire House for further action.

Eromosele Ebhomele
Media Assistant to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly