AKTH Denies Removing Patient’s Uterus Without Consent

The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) has categorically denied allegations that its medical staff removed a patient’s uterus without her consent during childbirth, calling the claims baseless and part of an orchestrated attack on the hospital’s reputation.

The controversy first came to light after a woman appeared on the popular human rights reality radio show Berekete Family, where she claimed that during her childbirth at AKTH in 2017, her uterus was removed without her knowledge. The woman’s emotional account, which quickly gained traction on social media, accused the hospital of negligence and unethical conduct.

The Allegations

According to the woman, she was admitted to AKTH in 2017 for childbirth. She stated that after being induced, she lost consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness six days later, she was informed that her baby had been stillborn and that her uterus had been removed without her consent or prior consultation. The woman’s allegations prompted widespread outrage, with many questioning the ethics of the hospital’s medical practices.

AKTH’s Response

In response to the allegations, AKTH’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Abdurrahman Abba Sheshe, denied any wrongdoing and provided a detailed explanation of the events leading up to the surgery. Dr. Sheshe clarified that the removal of the uterus was a life-saving procedure required due to severe complications the patient faced upon arrival at the hospital.

According to Dr. Sheshe, the woman had a ruptured uterus, which led to internal bleeding, and the baby was already deceased by the time she arrived at the hospital. The woman’s vital signs were critically low, with a blood pressure of 80/40 and a pulse rate of 140, while the baby showed no fetal heartbeats.

“The patient first came to the hospital in 2012 and underwent a critical surgery in October of that year due to complications during pregnancy. In 2017, when she was admitted, her condition was severe, and the baby had already died. The surgery to remove the uterus was performed to save her life,” Dr. Sheshe stated.

Consent Process

Dr. Sheshe emphasized that consent for the surgery had been obtained before the procedure. However, he acknowledged an anomaly in the consent process, noting that while a signature was on the form, the patient’s name was not included. This raised questions about the completeness of the consent procedure, although Dr. Sheshe maintained that the intervention was medically necessary and performed with the patient’s well-being in mind.

“The signature on the consent form was obtained, but we regret that the name was not included. This was an administrative error, but the decision to perform the surgery was taken with the patient’s critical condition in mind,” he explained.

Rejection of Allegations

Dr. Sheshe rejected the claim that the uterus was removed without the patient’s approval, labeling the allegations as part of a “smear campaign” against the hospital. He asserted that the allegations were false and unfounded, aimed at damaging the hospital’s reputation.

“The allegations are part of a deliberate effort to tarnish the hospital’s image,” Dr. Sheshe said.

Public Outcry and Speculation

Despite the hospital’s response, the case has sparked a widespread public outcry, particularly on social media. The hospital’s refusal to release the consent form or disclose the identity of the person who signed it has fueled further speculation about the ethics of the procedure. Many social media users have called for further investigation into the matter to ensure transparency and accountability in the hospital’s practices.

As the debate continues to unfold, there are calls for an independent investigation to determine whether the hospital adhered to proper medical and ethical standards during the treatment of the patient. The outcome of this investigation is eagerly awaited by both the public and the medical community.