Ekiti Govt Sacks Surgeon Over Botched Kidney Surgery

The Ekiti State Government has dismissed a surgeon at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) for erroneously removing a patient’s healthy kidney during a procedure intended to excise a damaged one. This decisive action follows a swift investigation into allegations raised by Mr. Joshua Afolayan, who discovered post-surgery that he could no longer urinate, sparking fears of organ harvesting. The government has committed to funding his kidney transplant and ongoing care, signaling a firm stance on medical accountability. ​

Incident Background

Mr. Joshua Afolayan, a teacher employed by the Ekiti State Government, suffered an accident in August 2025 that damaged his right kidney. Scans, including those at University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, confirmed the right kidney was impaired while the left remained fully functional, leading to a recommendation for its removal to prevent further complications. ​ However, the October surgery at EKSUTH resulted in the removal of his healthy left kidney instead, leaving him unable to pass urine despite doing so moments before the procedure. ​

Patient’s Ordeal and Allegations

Post-surgery, Afolayan sought explanations from EKSUTH but received none, prompting him to visit another facility where tests revealed the shocking truth: his functioning kidney had been excised without consent or justification. This fueled public outcry over potential organ harvesting by the surgeon and team, with Afolayan addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti in early December. Hospital management responded by forming a seven-member panel chaired by Professor Francis Faduyile, an anatomic pathologist, given 10 days to probe the matter. ​

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Government Response and Reforms

On December 18, 2025, the panel submitted its report to Dr. Oyebanji Filani, Commissioner for Health and Human Services, leading to immediate approvals on December 19. Key decisions include the surgeon’s dismissal, a one-month suspension for the entire surgical team pending review, and full government coverage of Afolayan’s kidney transplant plus two years of post-transplant care. EKSUTH will undergo departmental reorganization to bolster clinical governance, patient safety, and ethical standards, ensuring such errors do not recur. ​

Broader Implications

Dr. Filani emphasized the government’s support for EKSUTH’s dedicated staff while vowing zero tolerance for breaches, aiming to restore public trust in the state’s health system. The incident underscores vulnerabilities in surgical protocols and consent processes at public hospitals, with reforms positioned to elevate EKSUTH as a center of excellence. Ekiti residents have welcomed the transparency, reinforcing calls for nationwide improvements in healthcare oversight. ​