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Summary: The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, has suspended an Asaba Specialist Hospital doctor, Dr. Mark, for one month without pay following allegations that he assaulted a nurse, Ms. Kuku Destiny. An internal panel has been constituted to investigate the incident and determine further action.
The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, has suspended a medical doctor at the Asaba Specialist Hospital (ASH), identified as Dr. Mark, following reports that he assaulted a nurse, Ms. Kuku Destiny, within the hospital premises. Dr. Joseph noted the one-month suspension, which took effect immediately and is without pay, is to allow an internal investigative panel to thoroughly examine the incident.
According to the commissioner, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital briefed him on the matter, prompting the directive to constitute a panel.
The suspension follows a viral video circulating on social media in which Nurse Kuku claimed that Dr. Mark physically assaulted her over a patient’s folder that had been taken to his office.
In the video, the nurse was seen applying a towel to a swollen part of her head while recounting the incident. She said that the doctor struck her with a jotter and later hit her with a plastic chair.
Narrating the incident, Kuku explained that Dr. Mark had earlier indicated he would close by 2:00 p.m. and that she had informed a colleague, identified as Mr. Ike, that the doctor had closed when asked to deliver a folder.
She said Ike later confirmed that the doctor was still in his office and took the folder to him. According to her, the situation escalated shortly afterward.
“Later, Dr. Mark came to where I was and shouted, ‘Who brought this folder to me?’ I kept quiet, but he became very angry and started insulting me, my father and my generation,” she said.
“He took a jotter and hit me very hard, then carried a plastic chair and struck me on the head.”
Nurse Kuku added that she was restrained from retaliating by cleaners and colleagues and subsequently reported the incident to her Head of Department.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of ASH, Dr. Peace Ighosewe, declined to comment on the incident but assured that the hospital would issue an official statement.
“The hospital will make a statement on the issue very soon. When we do, you will be able to get all the information you want,” she said.
The outcome of the investigation panel is expected to determine further actions by the Ministry of Health.
