By Ayodele Oni
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ekiti State Branch, has demanded the immediate reversal of the dismissal of Dr Williams Imade, who was unjustly sanctioned over allegations of organ harvesting at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti (EKSUTH).
The Association also faulted the suspension of resident doctors and other theatre staff on duty at the time of the procedure, noting that those affected were neither invited to appear before any investigative panel nor given an opportunity for fair hearing prior to their suspension.
Dr Imade and other health workers were enmeshed in allegation of organ harvesting of a patient at the teaching hospital and a panel recommended the sanction clamped in them.
The affected surgeon, despite not being a staff member of EKSUTH, a state government owned teaching hospital, but a staff of the Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti, he was recommended for dismissal, by a panel and the decision upheld by the state government.
But the state chapter of NMA dismissed the claim as false and misleading allegations, describing it as unfounded, sensational and capable of eroding public confidence in the healthcare system.
This was contained in a press statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr Ifedayo Oreyemi, and Secretary, Dr Oluwatobi Akinluyi.
The Association noted that it has observed with deep concern what it described as widespread misinformation and misrepresentation surrounding a recent clinical case at the teaching hospital.
The NMA stated categorically that no organ harvesting occurred at EKSUTH, stressing that no organ was willfully, secretly or illicitly removed from the patient for any purpose outside legitimate medical care.
According to the Association, following the surgical procedure, the removed kidney specimen was formally handed over to the patient’s wife inside the operating theatre, in line with standard medical practice and was subsequently conveyed by her to the pathology laboratory for further evaluation.
“The specimen remains securely within the hospital system and has been handled strictly in accordance with established medical, ethical and legal protocols. Any suggestion to the contrary is entirely without factual basis,” the statement read.
The Association explained that the surgery involved a highly complex procedure arising from a rare congenital anomaly of the kidney, noting that such conditions are well documented in medical literature and often require critical, real-time intraoperative decision-making by surgeons acting in the best interest of the patient.
The NMA, however, condemned the dismissal of the consultant surgeon involved in the case, describing the action as excessive and disproportionate.
It expressed concern that critical professional stakeholders were not adequately consulted before the announcement of the dismissal, giving the impression that the outcome was predetermined.
According to the NMA, the actions taken have negatively affected staff morale and professional confidence, leading to the withdrawal of locum consultants and raising the risk of mass resignations among resident doctors, particularly within the Department of Surgery, with potential adverse implications for service delivery and patient care.
While expressing sympathy for the patient, the Association commended the Ekiti State Government for its commitment to funding the patient’s renal transplant and providing comprehensive supportive care, describing the intervention as compassionate and commendable.
The NMA called for the immediate reversal of the dismissal of the surgeon and the suspension of the resident doctors and theatre staff, urging that professional accountability should be pursued through transparent, evidence-based and peer-reviewed mechanisms rather than actions driven by public pressure or misinformation.
It also advised the government to exercise restraint in public communications on sensitive medical issues and to ensure expert consultation and due process to avoid prejudicing investigations or damaging professional reputations.
To forestall a recurrence, the Association recommended the establishment of an independent, expert-led investigative panel, strict adherence to due process in disciplinary actions, the development of a clear communication protocol for sensitive clinical cases, stronger protection for healthcare workers against harassment and intimidation, sustained engagement between government, hospital management and professional bodies.
The NMA reaffirmed its commitment to patient safety, ethical medical practice, protection of professional integrity, continuous improvement of healthcare delivery and the strengthening of health institutions, while calling on the public and media practitioners to verify information responsibly and avoid narratives that unfairly malign medical professionals and institutions.
