Main gate of the Ekiti University Teaching Hospital
By Shade Damiro
A surgeon with the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) has been sacked for secretly removing a patient’s kidney during a surgery.
The state’s Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, confirmed the development and announced the surgeon’s sack on Friday.
The lid was blown opened 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.
