The Ekiti State Government has dismissed a medical doctor at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, over a controversial surgery involving a patient, Joshua Afolayan, who alleged that his kidneys were removed without consent.
The government also suspended members of the surgical team who were present during the operation for one month, pending further administrative review.
Afolayan had reported that he visited the teaching hospital after sustaining injuries in an accident and later underwent surgery.
He alleged that medical tests conducted before the procedure showed that one of his kidneys was functional while the other was not. However, he claimed that after the surgery, he discovered that the functional kidney had allegedly been removed.
Following the complaint, the Ekiti State Government constituted a seven member panel of enquiry, chaired by Professor Francis Faduyile, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the operation.
Findings from the panel reportedly led to the recommendation that the surgeon who performed the procedure be dismissed from service.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Friday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, said the panel conducted a detailed review of events before, during and after the surgery.
“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,” Filani stated.
He said the state government had approved the dismissal of the surgeon with immediate effect, while all members of the surgical team present in the theatre on the day of the operation were suspended for one month.
Filani added that the government would pursue necessary reforms to prevent a recurrence and to strengthen standards at the teaching hospital.
“The Ekiti State Government will also cover the full cost of a new kidney transplant for Mr Afolayan and will take responsibility for his post transplant care and related medical maintenance for a period of two years,” he said.
The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to patient safety and ethical standards in healthcare delivery, stressing that decisive action would always be taken where professional conduct falls short.
“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,” he added.
Filani noted that while the government recognised the dedication and sacrifices of many health professionals at the hospital, it would not hesitate to act firmly in cases where professional standards were breached.
