The Ekiti State Government has dismissed a surgeon at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, following allegations that a patient’s kidney was removed during a surgical operation at the hospital.
The dismissal followed the findings of a seven-member Panel of Enquiry set up by the state government to investigate the matter. The panel was constituted about two weeks ago after a patient, Mr Joshua Afolayan, accused the hospital of removing his kidney during a surgical procedure.
The case attracted widespread public attention and concern across Ekiti State and beyond, raising questions about patient safety, medical ethics, and accountability in public hospitals.
Announcing the decision of the government, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, said the surgeon who had primary responsibility for the surgery had been dismissed from the services of EKSUTH with immediate effect.
In a statement released on Friday, Filani said the government acted after carefully reviewing the report submitted by the Panel of Enquiry, which was chaired by Professor Francis Faduyile.
The commissioner explained that while the panel did not find evidence of organ harvesting for ritual or illegal purposes, it confirmed that the incident involved serious professional lapses that led to a major surgical complication.
According to him, the government would not tolerate negligence or actions that put the lives of patients at risk.
In addition to dismissing the surgeon, the Ekiti State Government also ordered the suspension of all members of the surgical team who were present in the operating theatre on the day of the procedure.
Dr Filani said the affected staff would be suspended for one month, pending further administrative review of their roles in the incident.
He noted that the decision was necessary to allow for a thorough assessment of individual responsibilities and to send a clear message that patient safety must always come first.
Addressing public concerns, the commissioner clarified that the incident was not a case of organ harvesting, as widely alleged in the media and on social platforms.
“The incident was a case of a surgical complication and not organ harvesting for rituals as alleged,” Filani said.
He explained that while the loss of a kidney is a serious matter, the investigation did not support claims that the organ was removed for illegal or ritual purposes.
However, he admitted that the outcome of the surgery was unacceptable and that the hospital failed in its duty of care to the patient.
In a major move aimed at addressing the harm suffered by the patient, the Ekiti State Government announced that it would bear the full cost of a kidney transplant for Mr Joshua Afolayan.
Dr Filani said the government would also take responsibility for the patient’s post-transplant care and all transplant-related medical expenses for a period of two years.
He described the decision as part of the government’s commitment to taking responsibility for the incident and ensuring that the patient receives proper care and support.
“This government will not abandon Mr Afolayan. We will ensure that he gets the medical help he needs to live a healthy life,” the commissioner said.
The controversy began when Mr Afolayan claimed that he went to EKSUTH for a surgical procedure but later discovered that one of his kidneys had been removed.
His allegation sparked public outrage and led to calls for an independent investigation into the matter. Civil society groups, medical professionals, and members of the public demanded answers from the hospital and the state government.
In response, the Ekiti State Government quickly set up a Panel of Enquiry to investigate the incident and establish the facts.
The panel, made up of medical experts and other professionals, was tasked with reviewing medical records, interviewing hospital staff, and assessing whether proper procedures were followed.
Although full details of the panel’s report were not made public, the government said its recommendations included disciplinary action against those found responsible and major reforms within the hospital.
One of the key recommendations was the reorganisation of relevant departments at EKSUTH to strengthen clinical governance, accountability, and patient safety.
Dr Filani said the government had accepted these recommendations and would begin immediate steps to implement them.
As part of efforts to prevent a similar incident in the future, the Ekiti State Government announced plans for a comprehensive reorganisation of critical departments within EKSUTH.
The reforms will focus on improving supervision, strengthening internal checks, and ensuring that standard medical procedures are strictly followed.
The commissioner said the government would also invest in training and monitoring systems to improve the quality of care at the teaching hospital.
“Our goal is to restore public confidence in EKSUTH and ensure that patients can trust the care they receive,” he said.
EKSUTH is the main teaching hospital in Ekiti State and serves as a referral centre for many public and private health facilities across the state.
Teaching hospitals play a key role in providing specialised care, training medical students, and supporting research. Because of this, incidents involving patient safety can have serious consequences for public trust.
The government’s swift action has drawn mixed reactions from the public. While many residents welcomed the dismissal of the surgeon and the support promised to the patient, others called for greater transparency and long-term reforms in the health sector.
Some residents said the case highlights the need for better monitoring of public hospitals and stronger protection for patients.
Others urged the government to ensure that the promised reforms are fully implemented and not forgotten once public attention fades.
The Ekiti State Government said it remains committed to protecting the health and safety of its citizens and ensuring that public hospitals operate according to the highest standards.
Dr Filani stressed that patient welfare remains a top priority and that any act of negligence would be dealt with firmly.