Ekiti govt sacks EKSUTH surgeon over alleged kidney removal

The Ekiti State Government has dismissed a surgeon at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) over allegations of unlawfully removing a patient’s kidney without consent.

The decision was announced in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Health, Mr Oyebanji Filani, and made available to journalists on Thursday.

According to the statement, the government also directed that all members of the surgical team present during the operation be suspended for one month, pending further administrative review.

The action followed the submission of a report by a seven-member panel of inquiry, chaired by Prof. Francis Faduyile, which was set up to investigate a complaint by Mr Joshua Afolayan concerning a surgical procedure he underwent at EKSUTH.

The panel was constituted 11 days earlier to examine the circumstances surrounding the surgery. After reviewing the findings and recommendations, the state government approved the immediate dismissal of the surgeon who had primary responsibility for the operation.

In addition, the government announced that it would fully fund a new kidney transplant for Afolayan and cover his post-transplant care and related medical maintenance for a period of two years.

The statement also disclosed plans for a comprehensive reorganisation of relevant departments within EKSUTH to enhance clinical governance, accountability and patient safety.

While reaffirming its support for the many dedicated health professionals at the teaching hospital, the government stressed that it would take firm action whenever professional or ethical standards are violated.

The Ekiti State Government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding patients’ rights, upholding professional ethics in healthcare delivery and restoring public confidence in the state’s health system. It added that necessary reforms would be implemented to prevent a recurrence of such incidents and to ensure that EKSUTH continues to function as a centre of excellence in patient care.