Alleged Bladder Perforation in Child Surgery: US-Based Nurse Pursues Legal Action Against Nigerian Doctor

Alleged Bladder Perforation in Child Surgery: US-Based Nurse Pursues Legal Action Against Nigerian Doctor

Rivers State, Nigeria – A US-registered nurse of Nigerian origin has publicly detailed serious allegations of surgical malpractice involving a 6-year-old girl during an appendectomy at Ahoada General Hospital in Rivers State, prompting calls for thorough investigation and greater accountability in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Nurse Cherish, known on X as @AdaErema and a critical care and mental health advocate based in California, described how the child’s bladder was allegedly perforated during the procedure performed by Dr. Bagshaw Preye, the hospital’s medical director. The child was discharged post-surgery but quickly developed complications requiring readmission.

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According to the account, the same surgeon then returned the patient to the operating theatre for an attempted repair without obtaining explicit family consent, resulting in an additional incision. When the correction proved unsuccessful, the case was referred to a teaching hospital, where the referral note reportedly described the issue as a “ruptured appendix” – contradicting the surgeon’s earlier statement to the family that the appendix had not ruptured and that prompt presentation had averted such an outcome.

Further concerns include claims that the doctor later accessed the child’s medical records at the receiving teaching hospital by presenting himself as staff, an action the family views as a potential breach of privacy and possible attempt to review or influence documentation. Nurse Cherish has also referenced family reports that the doctor appeared to smell of alcohol during interactions, alongside allegations of a prior suspension for similar issues (later reinstated by state authorities).

The child remains under treatment at the teaching hospital and is reported to be recovering, though the ordeal has caused significant trauma. Nurse Cherish, who is not in Nigeria and relies on family updates, has stressed that the surgeon is a qualified medical doctor with years of experience – not a quack – but maintains that multiple red flags, including lack of informed consent and questionable post-operative conduct, warrant scrutiny.

She has confirmed escalation to the Rivers State Hospital Management Board and stated she is “in the process of reporting him to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)” while “seeking legal steps” once the child’s recovery advances. Under Nigerian law, the MDCN’s Investigative Panel examines allegations of infamous professional conduct, potentially referring substantiated cases to the Disciplinary Tribunal, which can impose sanctions including suspension or erasure from the register.

This case has fuelled online discussions among healthcare professionals and the public about common risks in appendectomies (such as iatrogenic bladder injury in atypical presentations or with adhesions), the importance of informed consent for additional procedures, privacy protections in medical records, and the effectiveness of regulatory oversight in preventing and addressing malpractice. Bladder perforation during appendectomy, while uncommon, can occur due to anatomical variations or technical factors but demands prompt recognition, transparent communication, and appropriate management.

Fellow Nurses Africa advocates strongly for patient-centred reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, including stricter enforcement of consent protocols, mandatory incident reporting, independent audits of high-risk procedures, and accessible pathways for complaints to bodies like the MDCN. Such measures are vital to restoring public confidence, protecting vulnerable groups like children, and upholding professional standards across the sector.

No formal findings have been issued by the MDCN or other authorities at this time, and all allegations remain under potential investigation. Due process must be observed for all parties involved. Fellow Nurses Africa will monitor developments and continue to champion systemic improvements in healthcare safety and accountability.

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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa