Kano probes hospital after surgical negligence kills mother of five

The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the death of a housewife, Aishatu Umar, who reportedly died following a surgical procedure at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre in Kano, amid allegations of medical negligence.

The directive was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday, January 13, by the board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman.

According to the statement, the Executive Secretary of the board, Dr Mansur Mudi Nagoda, expressed concern over the incident and assured the public that the investigation would be thorough, transparent and impartial.

“The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has taken note of the distressing report concerning the late Aishatu Umar,” the statement read.

“An immediate and detailed investigation has been ordered to ascertain the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged incident at Abubakar Imam Urology Centre.”

The board added that patient safety remains a top priority and pledged that appropriate action would be taken in line with existing regulations if any form of negligence is established. It also extended condolences to the family of the deceased.

The investigation follows a social media post by a family member, Abubakar Muhammed, who announced Aishatu’s death and accused the hospital of gross negligence.

He said the deceased, a mother of five, underwent surgery at the urology centre in September after falling ill.

According to him, she complained of severe abdominal pain after the operation and repeatedly returned to the hospital, where she was allegedly given only pain relief medication for several months.

He claimed that medical tests conducted days before her death revealed that a pair of surgical scissors had been left inside her body during the initial operation.

Muhammed said preparations were underway for a corrective surgery, but Aishatu died in the early hours of the day it was scheduled to take place.

He called on the Kano State Government and health regulatory authorities to ensure justice and accountability.

The incident comes shortly after a separate allegation of medical negligence by award-winning Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who accused Euracare Multispecialist Hospital in Lagos of negligence leading to the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi Adichie-Esege.

Adichie alleged that her son, who was being treated for an infection, was given an overdose of an anaesthetic drug during a medical procedure, resulting in complications that led to his death.

She has since issued a legal notice against the hospital, which has denied the allegations.

These cases have renewed public concern over patient safety and medical accountability in Nigeria, as reports of medical errors, misdiagnosis and weak regulatory oversight continue to raise questions about the quality of healthcare delivery across the country.