Nigerians are demanding urgent reforms to address systemic failures in healthcare after a surge in reported cases of alleged medical negligence, sparking nationwide debates over patient safety and accountability.
A Mother’s Ordeal: When Trust Turns to Trauma
Alice Chidiebere’s story has become a rallying cry for advocates. After a routine uterine evacuation procedure in 2015 led to irreversible infertility, she spent years navigating costly treatments and emotional turmoil. “The doctor handed the procedure to a student,” she recalls. “After that, I couldn’t menstruate or conceive again.” Her family’s subsequent struggle with surrogacy highlights the human toll of medical errors.
Systemic Pressures and Silent Risks
Experts cite underfunded facilities, overworked staff, and lax protocols as key contributors to preventable harm. Clinical governance specialist Obinna Anyawun emphasizes fatigue: “Surgeons sometimes perform 15 operations daily. Without workload regulation, mistakes are inevitable.” Hospitals rarely conduct post-operation reviews, missing opportunities to identify risks before they escalate.
Legal Labyrinths: The Fight for Accountability
Proving negligence remains a steep challenge. Medical law expert Nekabari Annah explains, “You must show duty of care, breach, and direct harm.” Many families face protracted court battles or settle privately due to high litigation costs and slow investigations by Nigeria’s Medical and Dental Council.
Pathways to Reform
Recent government steps, like the National Task Force on Clinical Governance, signal progress. However, advocates stress that lasting change requires funding, transparency, and enforceable protocols. “Safety must become automatic,” says Anyawun. For patients like Chidiebere, reforms can’t come soon enough.
