Husband Alleges Surgical Mistake Led to Wife's Death Due to Scissors Left Inside Her

A man from Kano, Abubakar Muhammad, has raised allegations against the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, claiming negligence that resulted in the untimely death of his wife, Aishatu Umar.

According to Muhammad, his wife passed away due to complications associated with a surgical operation performed at the state-owned health facility in the Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State.

In an interview with Daily Trust, Abubakar recounted that the mother of five died in the early hours of Monday, approximately four months after doctors reportedly neglected to remove a pair of scissors left inside her abdomen during surgery.

He explained that Aishatu had become ill months prior and required surgery at the hospital back in September.

Following the procedure, Muhammad noted that she began suffering from severe and ongoing abdominal pain.

He stated that his wife frequently returned to the medical facility citing her discomfort, but they merely prescribed pain medication without conducting any further examinations.

"They insisted that her pain was typical for those who had undergone surgery and never suggested an X-ray or any other imaging tests," he said.

Muhammad expressed that her condition steadily worsened until her death, which he believes could have been avoided with appropriate medical care and thorough investigation.

He mentioned that the pain persisted for around four months until diagnostic tests and scans were finally performed at Muhammad Abdullahi Wade Specialist Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, only days before she passed away.

The results, as claimed, indicated that surgical scissors had indeed been left within her body since the operation in September.

Attempts were reportedly being made to schedule corrective surgery for the removal of the scissors, but Aishatu Umar died prior to the operation being carried out.

Characterizing the event as gross negligence, Muhammad expressed that the incident has caused his family profound sorrow and raised alarming questions about the quality of care in the healthcare system.

While acknowledging the inevitability of death, he questioned how such a significant error could occur during surgery. "Events like this erode public trust in health professionals and institutions," Muhammad stated.

He urged the state government and relevant medical regulatory bodies to thoroughly investigate the incident and ensure that justice is served.

In response to these claims, the Kano State Hospitals Management Board has initiated an immediate and detailed investigation into the matter.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, announced on Tuesday that the objective of the investigation is to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the case.

“We express our deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones. The investigation will be conducted transparently and impartially, with appropriate actions taken according to established regulations if any negligence is confirmed,” the statement noted.

The Board reassured the public that patient safety remains their top priority and committed to maintaining the highest standards in healthcare delivery within Kano State.