Hospitals are institutions where medical services are rendered to save lives. Unfortunately for Isa Hamma, a resident of Chaffa Jaule, a suburb of Fufoure local government of Adamawa State, the reverse was the case as he got more than he bargained for after visiting Jimeta clinic where an operation was carried on him resulting to the loss of his kidneys, Hussaini HAMMANGABDO writes.When Isa Hamma visited the Jimeta clinic and maternity located in the state capital in order to get treatment for an ailment bedevilling him, he never knew that his action would expose him to more health challenges and would mark the beginning of a serious health travail.After being diagnosed by Dr. Yakubu Hassan, the doctor on duty, Hamma was administered drugs and asked to come back after three days for follow up.Narrating the ordeal of the family, an elder brother to Hamma, Mallam Umaru Isa Yahaya who spoke to LEADERSHIP Friday at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yola on Monday where Isa Hamma is currently receiving treatment, said that when they came back for the follow up on the appointed date, Dr Yakubu Hassan, after carrying out clinical observations and consultations on the patient, told them that the ailment required surgery which would cost them N50, 000. 00.Yahaya noted that upon the demand, family members mobilised the money and the surgery was carried out on Isa Hamma but noted that since the surgery was carried out, the victim had not been able to urinate, resulting to body swell.He added that to underscore the desperation of the doctor to carry out the surgery on Hamma possibly because of the monetary benefits, the doctor did not wait for any of the family members to sign the procedural consent for the operation to be conducted on the patient as stipulated by law.Yahaya however added that when Isa Hamma (the patient) was awaiting the surgery, the doctor directed Yahaya and other relations of the patient to go outside the hospital premises to purchase bathroom slippers for the patient but before they came back, the patient had been rushed into the theatre room.He noted that two days after the operation, the patient was discharged from the clinic, prompting the family to take him back to Chaffa, Jaule where his condition seemingly deteriorated.Yahaya noted that when the condition of Hamma continued to deteriorate, the family had no other alternative than to report back to Jimeta Clinic where the doctor referred them to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe as he said the challenge was beyond his limit.Yahaya added that after examination at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, the medical personnel said the kidney of the victim was removed after he underwent a surgical nephrectomy at the Jimeta Clinic and that he can only survive if another kidney is planted in him or he is made to depend on hem dialysis. The doctor referred them to Federal Medical Centre, Yola on account of its proximity to the patients base.He stated that the family now spends about N48, 000. 00 on weekly basis for the dialysis at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola and is soliciting for assistance from well spirited individuals to enable the patient continue surviving on dialysis.When contacted on the issue, Dr Yakubu Hassan of the Jimeta Clinic who handled the case, confirmed that the said patient was operated for an ailment that has nothing to do with kidneys.He said that based on the nature of the case, he referred them to a consultant at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.I did not carry out surgical nephrectomy, because I am not qualified to do that and I have never carried out such an operation, he added.However, the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, in a letter with reference no: FTHG/MED/DP/216, dated 2nd, August 2016 and signed by Dr. Abubakar M.S, sent to the Consultant Nephrologist, Federal Medical Centre, Yola, obtained by LEADERSHIP Friday states that the above named, was presented to our facility a week ago with 19 days history of Anuria, following a surgical nephrectomy at Jimeta Clinic Yola on 8th July, 2016, when he presented himself with abdominal pain and horse shoe shaped kidney which has rendered the patient with no kidneys and is now dependent on haemodialysis for survival.The letter urged the Adamawa State commissioner of health, through the director, medical services that in view of this gross malpractice/misconduct, a thorough investigation and disciplinary action should be taken.Medical Doctors are of the view that Isah Hammas survival would either be on weekly haemodialysis, which costs N48, 000 or the transplant of another kidney for him.The information officer of Adamawa State ministry of health, Abubakar Muhammad said the state government has constituted a six-man investigative panel to probe the alleged illegal removal of Isa Hammas kidney.He said the commissioner for health, Dr Fatima Atiku Abubakar, on receipt of the complaint through a letter from FMC, Gombe where the patient was referred to, swung into action immediately to unravel the circumstance surrounding the operation.The patient, Malam Isah Hamma, who is receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola, male ward, bed 6, and is in critical condition, has alleged that his only kidney was removed by a physician, Yakubu who operated him at Jimeta Clinic, Yola.Hamma called for justice and support from relevant authorities and the public to save him from the critical condition in which he found himself, which requires him to pay N48,000 weekly for dialysis.
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