MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This research work examines the review of medical negligence in Nigeria. This research work examines the scope of medical negligence. It further examines the legal frameworks regulating medical negligence in Nigeria. In the course of this research, it observed that medical negligence is the commission of an act by a medical professional which deviates from the accepted standards of practice of the medical community. Medical negligence was also found to arise from the fiduciary relationship existing between the doctor or care giver and a patient. It was also found that the hospital or the doctor is the proper defendant and the patient or his representative is the proper plaintiff. Also, it was found that by the nature of the relationship between the doctor and the patient, and also arising from the �neighbour� principle, the doctor owes the patient a duty of care which duty he must not breach.The research recommends that there should be more awareness on the rights of patients where they suffer any injury as a result of the negligence of their medical practitioner. They should be properly educated as to their remedies available to them in the case of this breach. The study concluded that more research needs to be done in the area of medical negligence; it will open up the terrain for litigation in the field. This it is hoped, will enhance the protection of the rights of patients and ultimately, enhance the quality of health-care delivery in Nigeria.

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urn:uuid:7e78de97-1f67-4389-a1b1-6d0d8e1703b9