Gombe hospital denies removing patient’s kidney during C-section

The management of the State Specialist Hospital in Gombe has vehemently denied allegations that its doctors removed a patient's kidney during a Caesarean section performed in May 2026. The hospital described the claims, made by the patient's brother, Mr. Zakaria Alhassan, as "false, malicious, reckless and unsupported by medical evidence."

“

The allegations are entirely false, misleading and unsupported by medical facts, clinical evidence and the hospital records.

According to the hospital's statement, theatre records confirm that Mrs. Barira Alhassan underwent an emergency Caesarean section only, with no procedures involving her kidneys. To address the family's concerns, the hospital sponsored a CT intravenous urogram (CT-IVU) at a Federal Teaching Hospital. The findings from this scan indicated a likely congenital absence of one kidney, along with abnormalities in the other ureter, suggesting a developmental condition rather than surgical removal.

“

The CT-IVU findings were consistent with a likely congenital absence of one kidney, with associated abnormalities involving the ureter on the other side. These findings strongly support a developmental condition rather than any surgical removal of a kidney.

The hospital stated it covered the cost of this investigation "in the spirit of helping out to reveal the truth." Management has met with the family twice to explain the findings and review clinical records. Furthermore, at the family's request, arrangements were made for a repeat investigation at an independent medical facility, the results of which the hospital is still awaiting.

“

The ongoing allegations are false, reckless, defamatory and intended to mislead the public, damage the reputation of the hospital and undermine public confidence in healthcare professionals who work tirelessly to save lives.

The hospital condemned what it termed a social media campaign aimed at damaging its reputation and public trust in healthcare professionals. It reaffirmed its confidence in its medical staff, asserting that "no kidney was removed from the patient during the Caesarean section performed at our facility." The available evidence, the hospital maintains, overwhelmingly contradicts the circulating allegations.

“

We wish to reassure the general public that no kidney was removed from the patient during the Caesarean section performed at our facility. The available clinical evidence, radiological findings and documented records overwhelmingly contradict the allegations being circulated.