The Ekiti State Government has dismissed a surgeon accused of removing a patient’s kidney without consent at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision, announced in a statement by the Commissioner for Health, Oyebanji Filani, also directed the suspension of all members of the surgical team present during the procedure for one month, pending further administrative review.
The action followed a detailed report by a seven-member panel of enquiry, chaired by Professor Francis Faduyile, which investigated the claims made by Joshua Afolayan regarding the surgery.
“Upon careful review of the report and its 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,” the statement read.
The government also confirmed it would cover the full cost of a new kidney transplant for Afolayan, including post-transplant care and related medical maintenance for two years.
“In line with the recommendations of the panel, a comprehensive reorganisation of relevant departments within EKSUTH will be undertaken to strengthen clinical governance, accountability, and patient safety,” the statement added.
The Ekiti State Government reaffirmed its support for dedicated healthcare professionals at EKSUTH while underscoring that decisive action would be taken against breaches of professional standards.
“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. We thank the people of Ekiti State for their patience and trust, and we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to continued improvement in quality health care, compassion, and responsible governance,” the statement concluded.
