Assessment of Medical Negligence by Medical Practioners in Nigeria

Research Article

Abstract

The Medical and Dental Practitioners Act is a Federal Statute in Nigeria that regulates everything with regards to medical practitioners. The Act also talks about acts of medical practitioners that will amount to professional negligence, and prescribes the duties that medical practitioners owe to their patients and established bodies to handle cases of malpractice or professional misconduct by practitioners. Doctrinally, this article looked at the issue of negligence by practitioners in discharging their duties that happens on a daily basis across the world. We found that recent developments in Nigeria have seen cases of medical negligence by doctors both in hospitals and other institutions like schools get swept under the rug/carpet after a period of time, even in this era where the social media space has become an active tool of advocacy and fight for justice. We suggested ways to make sure that medical practitioners actually perform their duties with a reasonable standard of care expected of them. It was opined that practitioners who violate any ethical code of conduct guiding their profession gets the prescribed punishment provided, and aggrieved parties get enough compensation for damages, especially in instances where the negligent act results into the death of a person.