By Prosper Mene
The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has suspended three personnel with immediate effect following the death of a housewife, Aishatu Umar, which has been linked to medical negligence at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre in Kano.
The incident involved an alleged surgical error where a pair of scissors was left inside the patient’s abdomen during a procedure performed in September 2025. Aishatu Umar, a mother of five, reportedly suffered persistent and severe abdominal pain for several months after the surgery. Despite multiple visits to the hospital, her complaints were allegedly managed only with painkillers, without thorough investigations into the underlying cause.
According to family accounts shared on social media by a relative, Abubakar Mohammed (also referred to as Mohammed), scans and tests conducted just days before her death revealed the retained surgical instrument. Preparations for corrective surgery were underway, but Umar’s condition deteriorated rapidly. She passed away around 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
In response to public outcry and family complaints, the Board’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, ordered a preliminary and transparent investigation. The probe confirmed the incident occurred at the facility and established grounds for immediate action.
In a statement issued by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, the authority announced: โIn line with its commitment to accountability, professionalism, and patient safety, the Board has outrightly suspended three personnel directly involved in the case from clinical activities with immediate effect.โ
The matter has been referred to the Kano State Medical Ethical Committee for further comprehensive investigation and appropriate disciplinary measures, in accordance with existing laws, professional guidelines, and ethical standards.
The Board extended its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar, sympathizing with them over the painful loss, and reaffirmed that patient safety remains paramount. It assured the public that negligence will not be tolerated in any form across state health facilities, emphasizing decisive steps to uphold trust and safeguard lives.
This development highlights ongoing concerns about oversight and standards in public healthcare, with authorities vowing firm action to prevent future occurrences. The suspensions are pending the outcome of the ethical committee’s review.
