The Ekiti State Government has dismissed a medical doctor at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado Ekiti, following a controversial surgery involving patient Joshua Afolayan. The government also suspended the surgical team present during the operation for one month.
Afolayan, who had visited the hospital after an accident, alleged that both his kidneys were removed during the procedure without his consent. He claimed that pre-surgery tests indicated one kidney was functional while the other was not, but the allegedly functional kidney was removed during the operation.
In response, the state set up a seven-member panel of inquiry, chaired by Professor Francis Faduyile, to investigate the incident. The panel recommended the dismissal of the surgeon who performed the procedure.
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Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, said in Ado Ekiti on Friday, “Following a thorough review of actions before, during, and after the operation, it was confirmed without doubt that this was a case of surgical complication and not organ harvesting for rituals as alleged.”
He added, “Upon careful review of the panel’s report and recommendations, the Ekiti State Government has approved the following actions: the surgeon with primary responsibility for the surgery is dismissed from EKSUTH with immediate effect. All members of the surgical team present in the theatre on the day of the operation are suspended from duty for a period of one month, pending further administrative review.”
Filani further assured that necessary reforms would be pursued to prevent similar incidents and to maintain EKSUTH’s status as a centre of excellence in patient care. “The government will cover the full cost of a new kidney transplant for Mr Afolayan and will assume responsibility for his post-transplant care and medical maintenance for two years,” he said.
The commissioner stressed the administration’s commitment to patient protection, ethical healthcare standards, and restoring public confidence in the state’s health system.
“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,” Filani said.
He concluded, “While we continue to support the dedicated health professionals at EKSUTH, the government will not hesitate to take decisive action when professional standards are breached.”
