The House of Representatives, on Thursday, inaugurated an ad hoc committee to investigate alarming allegations of professional misconduct, negligence, and divided attention among medical consultants at the National Hospital, Abuja, and teaching hospitals across Nigeria. The committee’s mandate follows the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, who raised pressing concerns about declining healthcare standards and widespread breaches of professional ethics within federal medical institutions.

A Broad Mandate for Comprehensive Investigation

The newly established committee has four weeks to conduct an extensive review of:

• Professional conduct and work ethics of consultants and medical personnel

• Administrative and financial management practices at the National Hospital and teaching hospitals

• Consultant contractual status, employment records, and involvement in private practice during official duty hours

• Doctor-to-patient ratios, case attendance logs, mortality and morbidity trends

• Systemic issues contributing to avoidable deaths and poor patient outcomes

The committee will work closely with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to ensure a thorough audit of competence, conduct, and compliance, with the goal of eliminating quackery and restoring professionalism.

Lawmakers Condemn Abandonment of Duty

During the debate, lawmakers expressed strong disapproval of the growing trend where consultants in teaching hospitals—including the National Hospital, Abuja—allegedly abandon official duties for private practice. These acts reportedly leave patients unattended, undermine hospital efficiency, and compromise medical training for junior doctors.

Hon. Onuakalusi Highlights Systemic Failures

Leading the motion, Hon. Onuakalusi emphasized that the National Hospital, Abuja (NHA), established under Act No. 36 of 1999, was envisioned as a premier referral center designed to deliver high-quality medical services and specialized care. However, he noted that the current reality falls far short of that vision.

He revealed that:

• The hospital’s staff strength has dropped from 3,000 to about 2,500 due to brain drain and poor motivation

• Consultants frequently engage in private practice during official hours, causing divided attention and poor supervision of junior doctors

• These unethical practices have contributed to avoidable patient deaths and deteriorating public trust

A Personal Tragedy That Reinforces the Urgency

In an emotional account, Hon. Onuakalusi narrated the tragic death of his aunt, Mrs. Nkechi Ifesie, at the National Hospital. Her passing resulted from medical negligence involving improper monitoring of blood levels and numerous failed venipuncture attempts that caused internal bleeding.

He stressed that such tragedies are not isolated cases. A ten-year retrospective study at the National Hospital showed:

• An autopsy rate of only 11%

• Hemorrhage, cardiac shock, and coma as leading immediate causes of death

• Widespread systemic inefficiencies and inadequate monitoring of patient outcomes

Revenue Growth Without Quality Care

Hon. Onuakalusi also noted a troubling disparity: despite generating over ₦400 million monthly in internally generated revenue—thanks to digital reforms—patient care quality remains unacceptably low. High fatality rates and complaints of professional indiscipline continue to plague the institution.

Restoring Trust in Nigeria’s Healthcare System

The lawmaker warned that if left unchecked, the misconduct of some consultants could:

• Erode public trust in national health institutions

• Damage Nigeria’s healthcare reputation

• Encourage more citizens to seek medical treatment abroad

He emphasized the need for immediate corrective measures to uphold professional ethics and protect the lives of Nigerians who rely on public hospitals for critical healthcare.

Unanimous Passage and Next Steps

The motion received unanimous support from the House. The newly inaugurated ad hoc committee is now expected to begin its nationwide probe, working with medical regulatory bodies to produce a report that could shape the future of healthcare governance in Nigeria.

The House has also mandated its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure strict adherence to all resolutions arising from the investigation.