Ekiti govt sacks surgeon over alleged kidney removal scandal at EKSUTH

The Ekiti State Government has sacked a surgeon at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) following a damning investigation into a disputed kidney operation that sparked public outrage and raised serious questions about medical ethics and patient safety.

The action was announced on Friday by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, after an independent seven-member Panel of Enquiry completed its review of the case. According to Dailypost

The panel was constituted earlier this month to investigate claims made by Mr. Joshua Afolayan, a teacher who accused the hospital’s surgical team of unlawfully removing one of his kidneys during a procedure.

According to the government statement, the surgeon who had primary responsibility for the operation has been dismissed with immediate effect, and all other members of the surgical team who were present in the theatre on the day of the procedure have been suspended for one month pending further administrative review.

The probe was chaired by Professor Francis Faduyile and tasked with examining both the circumstances that led to the surgery and the claims of improper conduct.

The panel’s report, which was submitted to the government earlier this week, reportedly detailed concerns over procedural lapses and medical governance.

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In response to the findings, Dr. Filani said that the dismissal and suspensions were necessary to safeguard patient rights and restore confidence in the state’s health system.

“The surgeon who had primary responsibility for the surgery is to be dismissed from the service of EKSUTH with immediate effect,” Filani said in a statement released on Friday.

In a notable move, the Ekiti government also pledged to take full responsibility for Mr. Afolayan’s medical needs.

The statement said the government will cover the full cost of a new kidney transplant for Afolayan and will provide comprehensive follow-up care and medical maintenance for a period of two years.

This gesture, officials say, is meant to demonstrate the state’s commitment to patient welfare while reinforcing accountability within public health facilities.

Beyond disciplinary action, the government approved recommendations for a comprehensive reorganisation of relevant departments within EKSUTH.

The restructuring aims to strengthen clinical governance, accountability, and patient safety areas that the panel report identified as needing urgent improvement.

Dr. Filani emphasised that while the government recognises and values the work of many dedicated health professionals at EKSUTH, decisive action will be taken whenever ethical and professional standards are breached.