By Deborah Nnamdi
The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has suspended no fewer than three personnel in connection with the death of a Kano woman, Aishatu Umar, following a surgical procedure at the government-owned Abubakar Imam Urology Center, where scissors allegedly used during the operation were forgotten inside her body.
Officials of the board confirmed that a preliminary and transparent investigation established that the incident indeed occurred at the facility. Following the findings, the affected personnel were suspended from clinical duties with immediate effect.
In a statement issued by the board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, the Executive Secretary of the board, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, said the suspended personnel have also been referred to the Kano State Medical Ethical Committee for further investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.
According to the statement, the investigation was ordered to ensure accountability and professionalism, adding that the board would not tolerate negligence in any form within state health facilities.
“The Board has established that the unfortunate incident involving the late Aishatu Umar did occur at the Abubakar Imam Urology Center. In line with its commitment to patient safety, three personnel directly involved have been suspended from clinical activities with immediate effect,” the statement said.
It added that the case had been formally referred to the Kano State Medical Ethical Committee to determine further actions in line with existing laws, professional guidelines, and ethical standards.
The board expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased and sympathized with them over the painful loss, assuring the public of decisive steps to prevent a recurrence.
The incident has sparked widespread public outrage and renewed concerns over patient safety and professional conduct in public hospitals across the state.
