The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ekiti State branch, has denied allegations of organ harvesting at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), describing the claims as false, misleading and harmful to public confidence in the health sector.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Dr Ifedayo Oreyemi, the association said no organ was unlawfully or secretly removed from any patient, stressing that all actions taken during the surgery were strictly for legitimate medical purposes.
The NMA explained that the case involved a highly complex surgical procedure arising from a rare congenital kidney anomaly, which required urgent intraoperative decisions in line with accepted professional and ethical standards. It added that the removed kidney was formally handed over to the patient’s wife in the operating theatre and taken to the pathology laboratory.
The association strongly criticised the dismissal of the consultant surgeon and the suspension of resident doctors and theatre staff, noting that those affected were not given a fair hearing or invited to appear before any investigative panel before sanctions were announced.
Warning of declining morale and potential staff resignations, the NMA called for the immediate reversal of the dismissals and suspensions, while urging authorities to follow due process in handling sensitive medical matters to safeguard healthcare delivery in the state.
