Dr. Abayomi Baiyewu, the medical practitioner responsible for the surgery that resulted in the disappearance of a young boy’s small intestine, is not qualified as a surgeon. The Lagos State House of Assembly disclosed this as it presented its findings regarding the circumstances surrounding the vanishing small intestine of the late Adebola Akin-Bright.
This revelation emerged following the directive of the House Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, during a plenary session on September 21, which instructed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, to write to the State Police Command for the arrest of Dr. Abayomi Baiyewu, who practices at Obitoks Hospital in the Alimosho area of Lagos.
Adebola passed away on September 21, shortly after the House appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to provide further assistance to the patient in seeking medical treatment abroad.
Noheem Adams, the chairman of the Lagos Assembly’s ad-hoc committee tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Adebola Akin-Bright’s small intestine, revealed that during the inquiry, “the committee learned that Dr. Baiyewu is not a surgeon but solely relied on his experience as a general medical practitioner.”
Additionally, Baiyewu, as recorded in his testimonies, indicated that he did not conduct a medical examination on the boy before performing the initial surgery, instead relying on a report from the hospital where the patient was initially taken.
Subsequently, when the boy continued to experience stomach pain, he was returned to Obitoks Hospital, where Baiyewu performed another surgery himself. However, as complications persisted, the boy was transferred to LASUTH, where it was confirmed that a portion of his intestine was missing.
Noheem stated that, as a doctor, Baiyewu should have sent the excised body part for pathological testing but admitted that the doctor claimed it was mistakenly discarded. Baiyewu had also intended to perform a third surgery before the patient was taken to LASUTH.
The House expressed its condolences to the bereaved family, with Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda suggesting the closure of the hospital.
Lawal Aina, another committee member, described the situation when they visited Adebola at the hospital as pitiful. He further noted that during their investigation, Baiyewu did not demonstrate proper certification as a surgeon.
Several lawmakers suggested making a formal complaint against Dr. Baiyewu to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, while others advocated for stricter oversight of medical practitioners and healthcare facilities.
