Secondary school dropout consults for teaching hospital

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man, Usen Effiong, for posing as a medical doctor and consulting for the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital for more than two months.

The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Etim Dickson, said Effiong, an indigene of Ukot Usung Itam, in Itu Local Government Area was caught based on intelligence report from the UUTH.

He said, “The police arrested Effiong in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital impersonating a medical doctor.

“The Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Akwa Ibom State branch, Dr. John Udobang denied ever knowing the young man. He is not a member of the association.”

He said the police had investigated Effiong and found out that he was actually impersonating a medical doctor, adding that the law would take its course.

Udobang told PUNCH Metro that he received a call from the Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, UUTH, Dr. Sunday Udo on the activities of Effiong.

He said, “Udo told me that they caught someone who has not finished secondary school parading himself as a consultant in the teaching hospital as a medical doctor.”

Udobang explained that he went to the teaching hospital where he interviewed the suspect and found him with stethoscope and sphygmomanometer (blood pressure apparatus).

He said, “We also found some prescriptions and forms that he wanted to fill to become a member of the association of resident doctors”

“Later, when they went to look for him, he was found in the doctor’s consulting room eating.

“He has confessed that he is not a doctor, and has not finished his school certificate, and has been coming there to consult in the last two months.”

Asked how it was possible for an SS II dropout to be consulting in a teaching hospital, Udobang replied that people used to see him but did not know his intention.

He said, “The Dean whose table he was sitting on used to see him and thought he was a medical student or a newly employed doctor that he has not known.

“It was after one of the younger doctors saw him and asked the Dean who he was that they started investigating him.”