The Ekiti State Government has dismissed a surgeon and suspended members of a surgical team at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) over the controversial surgery involving Mr. Joshua Afolayan.
The decision followed the submission of a report by a seven-member Independent Panel of Enquiry set up to investigate claims that a kidney was unlawfully removed during a surgical procedure at the hospital.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, said the government received and reviewed the report of the panel chaired by Prof. Francis Faduyile, 11 days after it was constituted.
He announced that the surgeon, who had primary responsibility for the operation, has been dismissed from the service of EKSUTH with immediate effect, while all members of the surgical team present during the procedure have been suspended for one month, pending further administrative review.
The government also approved the panel’s recommendation that it should bear the full cost of a new kidney transplant for Afolayan, including his post-transplant care and transplant-related medical maintenance for a period of two years.
Filani further announced plans for a comprehensive reorganisation of relevant departments within EKSUTH to strengthen clinical governance, accountability and patient safety.
While reaffirming its support for the many dedicated health professionals at EKSUTH, the government stressed that it would not hesitate to take decisive action where professional standards are breached.
It clarified that after a thorough review of actions before, during and after the surgery, the panel confirmed that the incident was a case of surgical complication and not organ harvesting for ritual purposes as alleged.
The government reiterated its commitment to protecting patients, upholding ethical standards in healthcare delivery and restoring public confidence in the state’s health system.