A FORMER personal physician of fourth President Jakaya Kikwete and currently Executive Director of JKCI, a leading medical facility named in his honour, appeared at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam yesterday, to defend prominent businessman Yussuf Manji, who is charged with drugs abuse.
Prof Mohamed Janabi, the top official of
the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, admitted before Principal
Resident Magistrate Cyprian Mkeha that Manji had never been admitted to
the facility over heart complications.
According to him, the businessman has
stents pacemakers that regulate heart beats and a certain volume of
blood pumped in. Led by advocate Hajra Mungula, who was assisted by
counsel Hudson Ndusyepo, the first defence witness told the court that a
person with stents in his heart is prohibited to use cigarettes and
narcotic drugs, as these could cause more health complications, notably
obstruction of heart vessels.
During the examination in chief, Prof
Janabi further told the court that the businessman was admitted to the
Institute twice; in February and July, this year, adding that
previously, he was receiving treatment for the disease in the United
States of America (USA).
Prof Janabi, a medical doctor and senior
cardiologist, narrated that in February, this year, when Manji was
admitted to the institute, he was under police arrest and medical
examinations indicated that the stents fitted in his heart were
operating properly.
According to the witness, the
businessman was also found with other health complications, including
back pains and failure to sleep well, but was taking medicine, as he had
a prescription from Aga Khan Hospital.
On what the effects of using narcotic
drugs to a patient with stents were, Prof Janabi said such pacemakers
could block and thereafter result into more complications, possibly
forcing the patient to undergo major operations.
During cross-examination by Principal
State Attorney Timon Vitalis, for the prosecution, the witness admitted
that drug abuse could cause heart diseases and that at the time Manji
was taken to the institute, he had already been in police custody.
Prof Janabi further explained that none
of the drugs prescribed for Manji after admission to the institute had
metabolized morphine and that he had not seen the prescription for the
drugs he was using after treatment in the US.
Hearing of the case continues today when
Manji is expected to enter the witness box. He allegedly committed the
offence on diverse dates between February 6 and 9, this year, at Upanga
Sea View area within Ilala District in the city.
The businessman is among people who were
implicated in the crime, having been named by the Dar es Salaam
Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Paul Makonda. He is charged with
consumption of heroine (diacetyl-morphine).
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