Hyperbaric Medical Practitioners Society of Nigeria has denied banning a diver, Comrade Jason Kuru, over forging of medical certificates.
Some media reports had claimed that HMPSN banned Kuru for a year for alleged forgery of medical certificates.
However, in a statement, HMPSN made available to FirstNews and signed by its President, Dr Kayode Ogunleye and Secretary-General, Dr Samson Umoren, the group denied the media reports.
The statements read in part: “The attention of the Hyperbaric Medical Practitioners Society of Nigeria was recently drawn to a number of publications making the rounds in some national dailies regarding a fitness to dive assessment of an indigenous Diver, Mr Jason Kuro and the issues pertaining to it.
“The Hyperbaric Medical Practitioners Society of Nigeria being a society of consummate, astute and well-grounded professionals felt it pertinent to put out a response after noticing that the narrative being peddled was not a full representation of facts and events.
“HMPSN as the umbrella body for Diving/Hyperbaric Physicians in Nigeria, is saddled with the responsibility of being the go-to body on matters relating to Diving and Diving Medicine in the country. One of such duties is the assessment of divers and issuance of fitness to dive certifications by her members.
“Mr Jason Kuro was seen and assessed by one of our members and was declared unfit to dive as a result of some medical concerns that would potentially limit his capacity at work. These medical concerns without appropriate adjustments posed a risk to self and other colleagues while in the line of duty.
“However, a review was subsequently scheduled with the society’s in-house Technical Review Committee, a committee set up for such a situation as this, to look into the case. This was done bearing in mind Mr Jason Kuro’s previous work and medical history.
“While in the process of review, Mr Jason Kuro had gone ahead to alter the initial certificate that declared him no more fit for work and presented the forged certificate to a prospective employer. Both his professional body, the National Association of Professional Divers and the prospective employer was notified of this misdemeanour.
“The diver’s initial assessment centre, Lily Hospital, Warri was contacted during this period and were very forthright and cooperative in furnishing the committee with necessary details and documents to aid its review. The National Association of Professional Divers gave an assurance that the matter would be dealt with summarily and the Chief Inspector of Diving, Mr Julius Ugwala also confirmed that said diver would be sanctioned.
“The case review by the Society’s Technical Review Committee and her findings will subsequently be communicated to concerned parties.”
Further stating that the Hyperbaric Medical Practitioners Society of Nigeria being a scientific forum of medical experts does not seek to ban or sanction individuals because it is not within its jurisdiction, the statement said that the society only advises and makes recommendations.
“Therefore, for clarification purposes, at no time did HMPSN issue a ban on the Diver in question. Furthermore, the main thrust of the Society is geared towards promoting the practice and facilitating the study of all aspects of Diving/Hyperbaric Medicine in the country. Our goal is to contribute meaningfully towards improving the quality of practice (bearing in mind international standards), ensuring safety and promoting advocacy in Diving/Hyperbaric Medicine in the country and in so doing impact the diving community and the general public at large. This we hope to continue doing, the statement added.