He went in to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital hoping to get treatment for a typhoid fever, but 23-year-old Abubakar Buba would get much more than he bargained for.

The Daily Trust tells the story of a young man who now lies in critical condition unable to survive without being placed on dialysis 100 per cent of the time.

“It is possible to live with only one kidney if the other is removed. But no one can live without both kidneys, unless he is placed on dialysis machine which plays the role of a kidney,” Dr. Mohammed Bello, currently responsible for his care, said.

Buba reportedly first went to the clinic complaining of a stomach ache and a fever. The doctor rushed him into an operation theatre and removed both of his kidneys claiming they were both damaged by typhoid.

After his kidneys were taken from him, Buba was then referred to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano where doctors there confirmed what doctors in Bauchi already knew – that his kidneys had been harvested.

Doctors in Kano once again sent Buba back to Bauchi for dialysis, where it cost N3,000 less. One of the young man’s family members said a session of dialysis cost N8,000 in Kano, as opposed to N5,000 in Bauchi. Buba needs three session a week, while he hopes to scrounge up the N5 million needed for  a kidney transplant, which must be done outside the country as Nigerian facilities cannot handle an operation of that magnitude.

Bauchi Police Command has arrested the doctor and nurse who carried out the operation. It is not clear if the hospital will be held accountable for the terrible error that almost cost young Buba his life. Buba’s family were unaware of the operation or the consequences, they were never apprised fully of the situation and none of the normal policies were adhered to.

Officials of the ABTBUTH have refused to comment. However, they are footing the bill for the dialysis and should foot the bill for Buba’s treatment.