A nine-person independent investigative panel was established by the Federal Government on Thursday, with the mission of investigating the circumstances surrounding the passing of Greatness Olorunfemi.
Olorunfemi’s alleged stabbing and ejection from a moving vehicle on the Maitama-Kubwa highway happened on September 26th. A video circulating online claimed that the medical staff at Maitama District Hospital in Abuja required a police report and refused her medical care.
A voice captured in the video’s audio background provides confirmation that she sadly passed away a mere 20 minutes after the incident.
Constituted by a coalition of prominent medical associations, the panel includes members from the Nigerian Medical Association, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, and the Association of Resident Doctors.
In addition, the panel includes the Association of Pathologists of Nigeria, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the General Counsel of FCTA, and the Health Services Department, which functions as the Secretariat.
During the panel’s inauguration, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Health Services and Environment, underscored the purpose of the panel’s member selection.
They were nominated to contribute their extensive expertise to conduct a thorough investigation and engage in constructive dialogue to uncover the factors surrounding Olorunfemi’s demise and offer solutions.
‘This panel will play a crucial role in investigating this case and bringing about justice. We have explored the legal framework for establishing an independent and investigative panel, the process of appointing and constituting a nine-person panel, and the role and responsibilities of the panel in investigating the alleged death and ensuring accountability.’
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‘The aim is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the steps involved in addressing such incidents and promoting a culture of transparency and accountability in the Nigerian healthcare system,’ Fasawe said.
Fasawe encouraged the panel to remain unbiased and free from external influences, stressing the importance of impartiality and credibility. Additionally, she called for a comprehensive legal framework to outline the panel’s scope of authority and investigative protocols.
‘This would ensure that the panel operates within the confines of the law and respects the rights of all parties involved. I implore you to take this assignment as a worthy service to our fatherland by being thorough, professional, and efficient in the investigation of this incident.’
‘The process of appointing and constituting a nine-person panel to investigate the death of late Ms Greatness Olorunfemi’s death is a crucial step in ensuring transparency and accountability in healthcare systems. This investigation serves multiple purposes, such as providing closure to the patient’s family, identifying potential malpractice or negligence, and implementing necessary measures to prevent similar incidents.’
‘By constituting a nine-person panel, the investigation process gains credibility and legitimacy, representing a collective effort to uncover the truth and uphold the principles of justice and patient safety. This Investigative Panel is independent in all ramifications,’ she added.
Fasawe outlined the panel’s core responsibilities, which involve confirming the patient’s clinical status upon arrival and any subsequent progression until her death. Moreover, the panel is charged with assessing the roles of the relevant parties in Olorunfemi’s case and formulating recommendations for handling similar incidents.
She declared, ‘The duration for the investigation and submission of the report is one week.’
The panel’s Chairman, Prof. Aminu Mohammed, who concurrently serves as the President of MDCAN, highlighted that the panel’s mission is to reestablish confidence in the manner in which activities influence the well-being and lives of the citizenry.
‘As we are inaugurated today, on behalf of the members, we are going to be exactly the oath we have taken. We are going to look into the system and critically analyse and come up based on the informed decision and provisional investigations that will be carried out on everyone who has something to do with what happened.’
Describing it as a lamentable scenario, he assured that the panel would maintain impartiality for the benefit of all parties, including the system, the government, and most notably, the family.
‘Whatever clearly, transparently appears to us as evidence is what we are going to submit as our report and is what we are going to advise the system. If the system is okay, we will advise on how to improve it, if the system has some fault, we are going to advise on how to remedy it to prevent future occurrences.’
‘Also, we feel that the outcome of the panel investigation is going to open a new chapter on how things are done not only in healthcare but in all other public services that are rendered to Nigerian citizens.’