Ekiti sacks doctor over removal of patient’s kidneys

The Ekiti State Government has dismissed a medical doctor at  the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, over a surgery involving a patient, Joshua Afolayan.

The state also suspended the surgical team present during the operation for one month.

Afolayan, who said he visited the hospital following an accident, alleged that his two kidneys were removed during the surgery without his consent.

He claimed that a test result before the procedure had shown that one of his kidneys was functional while the other was not, only to discover that the functional one was allegedly removed during the operation.

Following the allegation, the government set up a seven-member panel of enquiry, chaired by Professor Francis Faduyile, to investigate the incident.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that the panel recommended the dismissal of the surgeon who performed the procedure.

Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, stated in Ado Ekiti on Friday, “Following a thorough review of actions before, during, and after the operation, it was confirmed without any doubt that this was a case of surgical complication and not organ harvesting for rituals as alleged.

“Upon careful review of the panel’s report and recommendations, the Ekiti State Government has approved the following actions: The surgeon who had primary responsibility for the surgery is to be dismissed from the service of EKSUTH with immediate effect.

“All members of the surgical team present in the theatre on the day of the operation are to be suspended from duty for a period of one month, pending further administrative review.

“Necessary reforms will be pursued to ensure that incidents of this nature do not recur and that EKSUTH continues to serve as a centre of excellence in patient care.”

Filani added that the government would cover the full cost of a new kidney transplant for Afolayan and would take responsibility for his post-transplant care and related medical maintenance for two years.

He reiterated the government’s commitment “to protecting patients, upholding ethical and professional standards in healthcare delivery, and restoring and sustaining public confidence in the Ekiti State health system.”

The commissioner further stated, “In line with the panel’s recommendations, a comprehensive reorganisation of relevant departments within EKSUTH will be undertaken to strengthen clinical governance, accountability, and patient safety.

“While the Ekiti State Government continues to stand firmly behind the many dedicated and hardworking health professionals at EKSUTH and acknowledges their sacrifices and commitment to service, it will not hesitate to take decisive action where professional standards are breached.”(Punch)