Self-medicating on Pethidine; an anesthetists story.

We were alerted to the story by a patient who underwent surgery at Hulhumale' Hospital. This story is shocking.

Athif (not real name) was admitted for surgery (details withheld as these minor details may be easily used for identifying our source) sometime last year. After the surgery had finished, and declared a success, Athif regained consciousness to the agony of excruciating pain at the surgical site. His family members who were with him asked the expatriate nurse on duty whether any medication could be given for the pain. Her blunt answer was "NO". Pressed for a reason, she reported that "very strong pain medication" was given at time of surgery and that more doses cannot be used.

After what Athif described to us as "ages" the nurse arrived at the bedside with a special prescription, described to us as "a bluish thin, foil-like piece of paper with a stamp" {we understand this to be controlled drug prescription} and asked his family member to buy "this injection". The injection was bought and taken to the nurse, who took it and placed inside a locked cupboard. Athifs' family member surprised that the medication was not being prepared to be given to Athif asked the nurse why she was not giving the injection to the patient. The nurse informed that it was a "replacement" for the pain medicine given in theater. The medicine we later found out was Pethidine; a morphine derivative.

Hours after surgery, the pain had apparently become unbearable and Athif was, he told us, begging his family members to do something for him. At that time the nurse at the counter was a Maldivian. The girl received an earful from the family that day. Her response was an accusation, one that we have now proved as the truth. The anesthetist apparently uses the Pethidine to inject himself, while injecting plain water to the patient!!!

Communicating with Athif via email, we were able to identify the Maldivian nurse who made the accusation. When we approached her for information, she initially refused to talk to us. We had to convince her that this was something that needs to be told if we were to improve things at Hulhumale' Hospital. She agreed, on the condition of anonymity.

The nurse told us, in person, that the hospital administration including the in-charge, Mr Mohamed Yousuf Fulhu, was aware of the practices of the new Anesthetist. She told us that she believed that Fulhu had already reported the issue to the Minister and Dr Sheena. Apparently, everyone at the top level at DMS and MoH was aware of this before the staff of Hulhumale' Hospital. The anesthetist was previously working in another island hospital, where similar things had been reported.

The nurse reported that the doctor would "steal" "narcotics" from the "locked cupboard" and use it himself and report it as having been used for a patient. She also tell us other trick were used by the doctor to get the injections. Many times he had asked the nurses in the theater to go out to bring something and in their absence pocket the injection "ampule" and fill a syringe with "water for injection".

It was believed that most surgical patients would have been tricked like this in the past many months. The nurse told us that she was told by the pharmacist at the hospital that the doctor also purchases narcotics from the pharmacy on prescriptions with patients names on them.

We called Mr Mohamed Yousuf Fulhu at his office. His staff who spoke on his behalf claimed that no such thing was happening at Hulhumale' Hospital and that our source was making it all up. We have not got a word from Fulhu despite us leaving messages on his mobile [7771889].

We understand that the doctor has an apparent medical condition of his leg which he claims to be the reason for using narcotics. His colleagues however say that whatever the reason, he is addicted to Morphine and Pethidine.

Our concerns are that medications intended for patients in need are being used by this anesthetist by stealing them, he is forging prescriptions to buy narcotics, he maybe "high" on drugs during critical periods at work at the hospital and that his acts are causing physical suffering to the patients and financial losses as well.

We fail to understand the rationale why such a doctor is being allowed to practice anywhere in the country.

Report filed by Ali Ashraf