FMC Daura Suspends Doctor for Inadequate Emergency Response

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Daura has suspended a doctor for three months after it was found that the physician failed to respond adequately to an emergency case. The patient, who later died after being transferred to another hospital, was the subject of the investigation.

Dr. Umar Farouk, the Medical Director, announced the disciplinary action in response to concerns raised by the deceased’s family through their legal representatives.

The patient was referred to FMC Daura from the Armed Forces Reference Hospital, Daura, on April 23 after complications reportedly arose from a blood transfusion given at the referring facility. The patient was admitted through the Accident and Emergency Unit and subsequently moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for specialised care.

Dr. Farouk admitted that the on‑call doctor did not respond promptly to the emergency, which prompted intervention by hospital management. “The patient arrived in a critical condition, and when it became clear that the on‑call doctor had not responded as expected, I was contacted in the early hours of the morning. I came to the hospital around 4 a.m., attended to the patient, resuscitated her and stabilised her in the ICU,” he said.

The medical director said the hospital immediately directed its SERVICOM unit to investigate the circumstances surrounding the delayed response. “The investigation report was submitted to management, and the doctor concerned has been suspended for three months pending the outcome of further investigations,” he added.

After the investigation, the patient’s relatives requested that she be transferred to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, a request that FMC Daura approved. The hospital provided an ambulance and an intensive care nurse to accompany the patient during the transfer. “It was after the transfer that we learned the patient passed away in Katsina. We do not have details of the circumstances surrounding her death there,” Dr. Farouk said.

A Kano‑based law firm, Abdullahi Mohammed & Co. (Jurist Chamber), acting on behalf of the family, has issued a 14‑day ultimatum to the hospital management, demanding that the investigations be concluded and that the disciplinary measures taken be communicated. Dr. Farouk confirmed receipt of the legal correspondence and said the matter had been referred to the hospital’s legal department. “We have responded through our legal officer, informing them of the actions already taken, including the suspension of the doctor and the ongoing investigations. We are appealing to the family to allow due process while management continues to address the matter responsibly,” he said.

He reiterated the hospital’s commitment to accountability, stressing that any staff member found culpable after the completion of investigations would face appropriate sanctions.