Organ Harvesting: Ekiti Govt Dismisses Surgeon

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Government has announced the dismissal of a surgeon that carried out surgery on a teacher that claimed illegal removal of his two kidneys.

The State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, has been accused  of organ harvesting by a school teacher in the state, Afolayan Adebayo.

The  State Government ordered a formal investigation into the allegation made by Adebayo, who claimed his kidneys were removed during a medical procedure at the health facility.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, who confirmed the development, said the government is taking the matter very seriously.

He explained that he has directed the Teaching Hospital Board to immediately set up an independent investigative committee to conduct a thorough review of the incident.

The Commissioner stated that he received the detailed report submitted by the seven-member Panel of Enquiry chaired by Prof Francis Faduyile.

The panel was constituted 11 days ago, to investigate the claim made by Mr. Joshua Afolayan regarding a surgical procedure he underwent at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).

The report of the panel stated that “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 the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (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 Ekiti State Government will bear the full cost of a new kidney transplant for Mr. Joshua Afolayan and will also take responsibility for his post-transplant care and transplant related medical maintenance for a period of 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.

“While the Ekiti State Government continues to stand firmly behind the many dedicated and hardworking health professionals at EKSUTH and acknowledges their sacrifices and commitment to service, it will not hesitate to take decisive action where professional standards are breached.

“The Government remains resolute in its commitment to protecting patients, upholding ethical and professional standards in healthcare delivery, and restoring and sustaining public confidence in the Ekiti State health system.

“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.”