Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Kano, Nigeria — The Kano State Government has suspended three medical personnel following a tragic incident in which a mother of five, Aishatu Umar, died after surgical scissors were mistakenly left inside her body during an earlier operation at the government‑owned Abubakar Imam Urology Centre. The disciplinary action, announced this week, has reignited public debate over hospital safety, medical negligence and the need for stronger oversight and patient‑safety mechanisms across Nigeria’s public health facilities.
Ms. Umar, a resident of Kano State, reportedly developed severe and persistent abdominal pain after undergoing a surgical procedure in September 2025. According to family accounts, she repeatedly returned to the hospital seeking relief, but clinicians allegedly treated her complaints with painkillers without conducting thorough diagnostic investigations. It was only after months of suffering that a comprehensive scan reportedly revealed the shocking presence of surgical scissors inadvertently left inside her abdomen from the earlier operation. Plans were reportedly underway for a corrective surgical procedure to remove the foreign object when she died on January 11, 2026, before the intervention could be completed.
In its official response, the Kano State Hospitals Management Board acknowledged the incident stemmed from medical negligence. The board, through its Public Relations Officer Samira Suleiman, confirmed that a preliminary investigation ordered by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, had established that the surgical error did occur. As an immediate measure, three health workers directly involved in the patient’s care have been suspended from clinical duties, pending further inquiry by the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee. The matter has been formally referred for a comprehensive probe and potential disciplinary and legal action in line with professional standards and statutory requirements.
“The Board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathises with them over this painful loss,” the board’s statement read. It added that negligence will not be condoned in any form and reiterated a commitment to strengthening internal monitoring and professional standards across state health facilities.
The case has prompted widespread public concern and backlash on social media and civil society platforms, where many Nigerians have expressed alarm at recurring reports of preventable medical errors and insufficient accountability in healthcare settings. Critics argue that instances of surgical negligence — especially those with fatal consequences — reflect deeper shortcomings in training, supervision, and institutional oversight, particularly within government‑run hospitals. Calls for systemic reforms, including better surgical protocols, enhanced patient safety measures and transparent disciplinary processes, have gathered momentum in recent days.
Healthcare advocates note that leaving surgical instruments inside patients, often termed a “retained surgical item,” is widely considered a never‑event in medical practice — a serious error that should never occur and is entirely preventable with proper surgical counts, checklists and safety protocols. These advocates argue that Nigeria’s public health system must adopt international patient‑safety standards, including rigorous training for surgical teams, investment in diagnostic technologies and robust supervisory frameworks to prevent similar tragedies. Stakeholders also stress the importance of independent regulatory oversight and clear reporting mechanisms to ensure accountability and reassure patients of their fundamental right to safe medical care.
The Kano incident arrives at a time when public trust in the health sector is already fragile, with high‑profile cases of alleged medical negligence attracting significant media attention. In December 2025, internationally acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her partner publicly accused a Lagos hospital of negligent care that contributed to the death of their 21‑month‑old son, further amplifying national dialogue on the quality of medical services and the need for systemic accountability.
Legal experts and ethicists observing the Kano situation warn that disciplinary actions such as suspensions are only a first step. They argue for comprehensive institutional reform, including enforceable standards for surgical practice, mandatory patient‑safety training, strengthened emergency response protocols and transparent public reporting of adverse events. Some advocates have also urged the Kano State Government to consider compensation mechanisms for victims of medical negligence and the creation of an independent health ombudsman or regulatory body with investigatory and enforcement powers separate from hospital management boards.
For the family of the late Aishatu Umar, the tragedy is deeply personal. Relatives have called for a thorough and impartial investigation, accountability for those found culpable and measures to prevent other families from suffering similar losses. Their calls echo broader public sentiment demanding that every preventable death in the healthcare system be treated not as an isolated incident but as a symptom of systemic issues requiring urgent reform.
As the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee proceeds with its investigation, attention will remain focused on the findings and what punitive or corrective actions follow. The outcome could set important precedents for how medical negligence is addressed in Nigeria, balancing professional accountability with broader efforts to improve patient safety, health outcomes and public confidence in the nation’s healthcare institutions.
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