The Kano State government has announced its resolve to investigate the death of a woman, Aishatu Umar from scissors left in her stomach by surgeon(s).
“The investigation will be transparent, impartial, and professional, and appropriate actions will be taken in line with established regulations should any negligence be established,” a statement credited to the Executive Secretary of Kano State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda read.
The deceased’s husband, Abubakar Muhammad, had accused Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, Kano, of medical negligence resulting in the death his wife on Monday.
Muhammad alleged that his wife died from complications linked to a surgical procedure carried out at the facility.
Providing the context of her death, the widower said, she fell ill some months ago, and underwent surgery at the health facility in September but after the operation, she began experiencing severe abdominal pain.
“Each time she returned to the hospital to complain, she was only given pain-relief medication without further investigation. They usually tell her that the pain is normal for patients who underwent surgery, but never recommended x-ray or any scanning,” the husband said.
He stated that the pain continued for about four months until medical tests and scans were eventually conducted at Muhammad Abdullahi Wade Specialist Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital which results revealed that a pair of surgical scissors had been left inside her body during the September operation.
According to him, plan to conduct a corrective surgery to remove the object was in view but before it materialised the wife passed away.
Describing the incident as gross negligence, the bereaved husband said, “While we acknowledge that death is inevitable, we cannot understand how such an error could occur during a surgical procedure. Incidents like this undermine public confidence in medical professionals and health institutions.”
He then called on the State Government and relevant regulatory authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action, insisting that justice must be served.
