In a shocking medical controversy, Mrs. Suzan Okeafor, a Lagos resident, has accused Dr. Joseph Ayelaje of performing a hysterectomy, or womb removal, during a fibroid surgery without her permission.
Mrs. Okeafor, a mother of two daughters, alleges that she consented to a myomectomy to relieve pain and prevent further miscarriages but was horrified to discover weeks later that her womb had been removed, leaving her unable to conceive again.
On March 29, 2024, Mrs. Okeafor went to Holyfill Hospital in Ikorodu, Lagos, for the surgery, confident that she would emerge with her health improved. According to her account, she had explicitly declined Dr. Ayelaje’s suggestion of a hysterectomy and opted for the myomectomy, which would remove the fibroids while preserving her uterus. Despite her request, she claims that Dr. Ayelaje proceeded with a hysterectomy without informing her or her husband.
Following the procedure, Mrs. Okeafor noticed that her menstrual cycle had ceased, prompting her to seek answers from Dr. Ayelaje. In a follow-up visit, she says she was devastated to learn that her womb had been removed. “We wanted another child, a son,” Mrs. Okeafor stated, describing her disbelief and sense of loss.
Mrs. Okeafor and her husband escalated the issue to their health maintenance organization (HMO), which confirmed that the authorized procedure was only for fibroid removal, not a hysterectomy. After attempts to resolve the issue with the doctor and the hospital failed, the couple reported the case to the police and sought the intervention of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
The NMA’s involvement has, however, led to more frustration for the couple. While initial meetings with the NMA Lagos State Chapter Chair, Dr. Saheed Babajide, seemed promising, Mrs. Okeafor claims they were later pressured to accept a “peaceful” resolution, rather than pursue justice. The couple’s requests for a truthful report on the surgery, medical accountability, and compensation remain unmet.
As of the time of this report, the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, Lagos, as the Okeafors seek legal recourse. Meanwhile, Dr. Ayelaje has denied any wrongdoing, calling the procedure “a miscommunication” and insisting that his actions were in her best interest.
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