The Abubakar Imam Urology Centre in Kano has been accused of medical negligence following the death of a patient, Aishatu Umar, whose husband alleged that a surgical instrument was left in her body after an operation.
The deceased’s husband, Abubakar Muhammad, claimed that his wife died in the early hours of Monday after suffering complications linked to a surgery she underwent at the government-owned facility in September.
Muhammad said his wife began experiencing persistent and severe abdominal pain shortly after the operation, adding that repeated visits to the hospital did not yield relief beyond the prescription of painkillers.
According to him, hospital officials allegedly dismissed her complaints, assuring her that the pain was normal for post-surgery patients, without recommending further medical tests such as scans or X-rays.
He explained that after months of worsening pain, the family sought medical attention at Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where tests reportedly revealed that a pair of surgical scissors had been left in her stomach during the earlier procedure.
Muhammad said plans were being made for a corrective surgery to remove the object, but his wife died before the operation could be carried out.
Describing the incident as a grave lapse in professional conduct, he said the tragedy had devastated his family and raised serious concerns about standards in the health sector, calling on the Kano State Government and relevant authorities to investigate the matter and ensure accountability.
As of the time of filing this report, the management of the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre had yet to issue an official response to the allegation.
However, the Kano State Hospitals Management Board said it had ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the case.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Dr Mansur Mudi Nagoda, said the probe would be transparent and thorough, assuring the public that appropriate action would be taken if negligence is established, while extending condolences to the bereaved family.