The Nigerian Medical Association Ekiti State Branch has strongly denied allegations of organ harvesting at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital EKSUTH, describing the claims as false, misleading and damaging to public trust.
In a press statement issued by the association and signed by its chairman, Dr Ifedayo Oreyemi, the NMA said it had observed with “deep concern the widespread misinformation, misrepresentation, and sensational narratives” surrounding a recent surgical case at the hospital.
The association stated unequivocally that “no organ harvesting occurred at EKSUTH,” adding that “at no point was any organ willfully, secretly or illicitly removed from the patient as insinuated in some quarters for any purpose other than legitimate medical care.”
Clarifying the handling of the kidney involved in the surgery, the NMA said, “for the avoidance of doubt, following the surgical procedure, the removed kidney specimen was formally handed over to the patient’s wife inside the operating theatre,” noting that she personally took it to the pathology laboratory.
According to the statement, the surgery was “a highly complex procedure involving a rare congenital anomaly of the kidney,” which required “critical, real time intraoperative decision making” in line with professional and ethical standards.
The association also condemned the dismissal of the consultant surgeon involved in the case, stating that it “condemns in strong terms and reject the dismissal of the consultant surgeon involved in this case.” It added that “critical professional stakeholders were neither adequately consulted nor carried along before the announcement of the dismissal.”
The NMA further expressed concern over the suspension of resident doctors and theatre staff, saying they were “not invited to appear before any investigative panel nor afforded the opportunity for fair hearing prior to their suspension.”
It warned that the actions had already affected staff morale and service delivery, noting that they had “contributed to the withdrawal of locum consultants from EKSUTH, with a real risk of further attrition and impending mass resignations among resident doctors.”
While empathising with the patient, the association commended the Ekiti State Government for funding the patient’s renal transplant, describing it as “a commendable commitment to patient welfare.”
The NMA concluded by calling for immediate action, stating, “the Association hereby request the reversal of both the dismissal of the Surgeon and suspension of Resident Doctors and all theatre staff on duty without delay,” while urging restraint and due process in handling sensitive medical matters.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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