The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has admitted to grave medical negligence in the death of Aishatu Umar, a mother of five, confirming that surgical scissors were left inside her abdomen during an operation months before she passed away.
Umar died on Sunday while undergoing a second surgery at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre in Kano. The corrective procedure was intended to remove the scissors that had been mistakenly left inside her body following an earlier surgery at the same government-run facility in September 2025.
According to her relative, Abubakar Mohammed, Umar had endured severe abdominal pain for months leading up to her death.
Board Admits Fault, Takes Action
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the board's spokesperson, Samira Suleiman, said an investigation ordered by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, confirmed clear negligence.
“The preliminary findings of the investigation… revealed clear medical negligence, as surgical scissors were left inside the patient after the procedure,” Suleiman stated.
The board announced the immediate suspension of three medical personnel directly involved in the case, pending the outcome of a more comprehensive probe by the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee.
“As an immediate step, the Board has suspended three personnel directly involved in the case from carrying out any clinical responsibilities, pending the outcome of further investigations,” the statement read.
The board extended its condolences to Umar’s family and assured the public that negligence would not be tolerated in its facilities.
This tragic incident has once again raised concerns about patient safety and medical accountability in public hospitals across Nigeria, with calls for stricter oversight and enforcement of clinical protocols to prevent such avoidable deaths.
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