A medical practitioner named Walter Igbokwe has been accused of taking a woman named Chukwuka to a shrine over an unpaid health facility bill of N600,000 in Anambra State. The bill was for the woman’s late mother, who died after being discharged from Dr. Igbokwe’s hospital. The woman claims that she signed the settlement under duress in order to be able to take her mother to another hospital for further treatment. The doctor denies the allegations, but admits that one should use any means to recover their money. If the allegations are true, the doctor’s actions would be highly unethical and possibly illegal. Using intimidation or threats to collect fees is not appropriate conduct for a medical professional. Furthermore, involving spiritual or religious practices to recover a debt would be highly disrespectful to the patient and their family. The woman’s claims of receiving death threats from the doctor is a serious matter and should be investigated by the appropriate authorities. The medical profession is built on trust, and any doctor found to have acted in this manner could face severe consequences, including suspension or revocation of their medical license
It is also important to consider the impact that this kind of behavior can have on the patient and their family. The woman’s mother passed away after being discharged from the hospital, and if the allegations are true, the added stress and trauma of being taken to a shrine for an unpaid bill would only compound their grief and suffering. Additionally, this type of conduct can create a rift in the doctor-patient relationship and erode trust in the medical profession as a whole. This kind of behavior can also discourage people from seeking medical treatment, which can have serious public health consequences.
It is essential that the authorities thoroughly investigate these allegations and take appropriate action if they are found to be true. The medical profession is built on trust, and any violation of this trust can have serious consequences for both the patient and the doctor involved. It is crucial to hold medical professionals accountable for their actions and ensure that they are providing the best possible standard of care to their patients.
This can only be achieved through a rigorous and fair investigation process and appropriate disciplinary action, if necessary.
