A surgeon working at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, EKSUTH, has been sacked after he was found to have secretly removed a patient’s kidney.
NewsBits learnt that a panel was set up after the patient, Joshua Afolayan, raised the alarm. After an investigation by the Panel of Enquiry, it was found to be true. The panel was chaired by Professor Francis Faduyile.
Reacting to details of the investigation submitted by the Panel, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, in a statement on Friday, announced the dismissal of the Surgeon.
While taking responsibility for the victim, Joshua Afolayan’s transplant expenses, Dr Oyebanji Filani said, “The surgeon who had primary responsibility for the surgery is to be dismissed from EKSUTH with immediate effect.
“All members of the surgical team present in the theatre on the day of the operation are to be suspended for one month, pending further administrative review.
“The Ekiti State Government will bear the full cost of a new kidney transplant for Mr. Joshua Afolayan and also take responsibility for his post-transplant care and transplant-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.”
Meanwhile, the government did not release the name of the doctor who carried out the surgery. Some Nigerians who reacted to the development demanded that the surgeon should be prosecuted and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“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,” a concerned Nigerian, Jude Okonkwo, wrote.
