The Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) has sacked a surgeon who secretly removed a patient’s kidney during a procedure.
The state’s Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, announced the appointment termination on Friday.
SaharaReporters gathered that the case began when Joshua Afolayan, a kidney‑transplant recipient, reported that his organ had been taken without his consent.
A panel of inquiry, chaired by Professor Francis Faduyile, was convened and confirmed the allegation, the commissioner explained.
“The surgeon who had primary responsibility for the surgery is to be dismissed from EKSUTH with immediate effect,” Dr. Filani said in a statement.
He added that all members of the surgical team present in the theatre on the day of the operation would be suspended for one month pending further administrative review.
The commissioner also pledged that the state government would cover the full cost of a new kidney transplant for Mr. Afolayan, as well as his post‑transplant care and medication for two years.
“In line with the recommendations of the Panel, a comprehensive re‑organisation of relevant departments within EKSUTH will be undertaken to strengthen clinical governance, accountability, and patient safety,” Dr. Filani said.
The name of the dismissed surgeon has not been released, and the hospital has not commented further.
However, the incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians calling for criminal prosecution.
“Justice should not just be done, but should be seen to have been done. The surgeon should be prosecuted and the trial should be made public. His identity should also be fully unveiled so that other people would not fall victim to such criminals operating as medical professionals,” wrote Jude Okonkwo, a concerned citizen.
The state government’s response marks the latest effort to address lapses in patient safety at EKSUTH, but the demand for accountability continues as the community awaits further details of the investigation.
