Medical doctor on trial over death of pregnant woman

Pascal Okoye, a medical doctor with the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, is standing trial before the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria Tribunal, over the death of a pregnant woman.

Okoye, who is being tried in Abuja, is charged with gross professional negligence which allegedly led to the death of a patient in his care.

The pro s e c u t i n g counsel, Nasiru Aliyu, told the tribunal on Tuesday, that the defendant, while on duty on March 7, 2017, “negligently handled one of his patients, Rita Uchebuego, a pregnant woman, who is now late”.

According to the prosecutor, Okoye allegedly failed to attend to her appropriately as required for the management of her condition.

The prosecutor said that Okoye’s conduct was “thoroughly unprofessional” and contrary to rules 24 and 31 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria, 2018.

The offence, Aliyu added, was punishable under section 16 of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act 2014, as amended.

Okoye, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The accused claimed that the patient was not properly handed over to him when he resumed duty.

“I discovered that the patient was induced to labour while on call. No one handed her over to him. I did my best while on call duty and later handed over the patient to the consultant who took over from me. There was no emergency as at the time I handed over the patient.”

Chairman of the tribunal, Abba Hassan, after listening to both sides, adjourned the case.

The tribunal was established to try offences under the medical and dental practitioners act.