The management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Daura, has suspended a doctor for three months following allegations of poor response to an emergency case involving a patient who later died after being transferred to another hospital.

The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Umar Farouk, disclosed the disciplinary action while responding to concerns raised by the deceased’s family through their legal representatives.

Farouk explained that the patient was referred to FMC Daura from the Armed Forces Reference Hospital, Daura, on April 23 after reportedly developing complications from a blood transfusion administered at the referring facility.

According to him, the patient was admitted through the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit and later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for specialised care.

He acknowledged that the doctor on call at the time failed to respond promptly to the emergency, prompting intervention by the hospital’s 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,” Farouk 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 said.

Farouk added that the patient’s relatives subsequently requested that she be transferred to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, a request approved by FMC Daura.

He said the hospital provided an ambulance and an intensive care nurse to accompany the patient during the transfer.

“It was after the transfer that we learnt the patient passed away in Katsina. We do not have details of the circumstances surrounding her death there,” he added.

Meanwhile, 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 the conclusion of investigations and communication of disciplinary measures taken over the incident.

Confirming receipt of the legal correspondence, Farouk 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.