Tragedy struck in Kano State as Aishatu Umar, a mother of five, died following an alleged case of medical negligence at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, a government-owned health facility.
A tragedy has unfolded in Kano State following the death of Aishatu Umar, a mother of five, after an alleged case of medical negligence at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, a government-owned health facility.
A relative of the deceased, Abubakar Mohammed, said Aishatu suffered months of severe abdominal pain following a surgical procedure at the hospital about four months ago.
“She underwent surgery at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre in September. After that, she complained of severe abdominal pain for months. Each time she returned to the hospital, she was given painkillers,” Mohammed said.
He explained that medical tests and scans were eventually conducted just days before her death, revealing that a pair of scissors had allegedly been left inside her body during the initial surgery.
“It was only two days ago that scans were carried out, and that was when doctors discovered that scissors had been forgotten inside her body. Plans were made for another surgery, but she passed away before it could be done,” he added.
Mohammed described the incident as a clear case of negligence and called on the Kano State Government and relevant health authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure justice for Aishatu.
“How can medical professionals forget a pair of scissors inside a patient’s body? This is unacceptable and damages the integrity of the health sector,” he said.
In response, the Kano State Hospitals Management Board announced that it had ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Aishatu’s death.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, in a statement issued by the board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, assured the public that the investigation would be transparent, impartial, and professional.
The board stressed that the matter would not be swept under the carpet and pledged that appropriate action would be taken if negligence is confirmed.