The Bauchi State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association has disclosed that a fake doctor arrested in the state, Usman Yelwa, stole the folio number used for working with the Misau General Hospital in the Misau Local Government Area of the state.

It was also said that the state government had commenced the collation of registration numbers of all doctors working with the state for verification with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said it arrested Yelwa based on credible intelligence, saying investigation had commenced on the matter.

Speaking in an interview  the state NMA Chairman, Dr Bashir Faruk, enjoined organisations to ensure adequate verification of medical practitioners before employing them.

He said, “Today (Thursday), the secretary and I went to the Hospital Management Board. We spoke with the chairman who briefed us about the incident.

“They (government) have asked all doctors working for the state government to send in their registration licences for compilation which will be sent to the Medical Dental Council for identification. We also visited the NSCDC office and interfaced with the Commandant.

“The so-called doctor who is currently in their custody and from the verification that they had made from the Medical Dental Council about his number, they realised that the doctor stole someone else’s folio number.

Speaking further he said, “As a professional association, we don’t have the right to say people should be submitting their details because they don’t work for us. It’s the employers that must ensure proper verification of credentials before employing anyone.”

He, however, warned medical doctors to desist from unethical practice which could undermine their profession.