How To Report A Medical Doctor For Medical Malpractice in Nigeria

Doctors are supposed to save lives, not take them. Yet in Nigeria, medical negligence is quietly killing thousands every year. From wrong diagnoses to surgical blunders (yes, even amputating the wrong leg), medical malpractice is no longer just whispers in hospital corridors – it’s a crisis.

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Now, here is the thing: Nigeria already has a doctor-to-patient ratio that is eight times worse than the World Health Organization’s recommendation. Overworked, underpaid, and undersupplied, some doctors are pushed beyond their limits. But when their mistakes cross into negligence and cost lives, patients must know how to fight back. So, how do you actually report a doctor for malpractice in Nigeria without feeling like David facing Goliath? Let’s break it down.

What Exactly Is Medical Malpractice (a.k.a Medical Negligence)?

Think of malpractice as when your doctor trades in their stethoscope for guesswork. In legal terms, medical malpractice happens when a healthcare professional fails to exercise reasonable skill and care, leading to injury or even death. It can happen through:

• Failure to diagnose – e.g., ignoring glaring symptoms.
• Improper treatment – giving wrong or dangerous treatment.
• Failure to warn – not telling you about the risks of a surgery or drug.
• Surgical mistakes – from leaving sponges in patients’ bodies to wrong amputations.

In short: if another competent doctor would have done better and your doctor didn’t, you may have a malpractice case.

Common Types of Medical Negligence in Nigeria

Here are some of the greatest hits of negligence Nigerian patients sadly face:

• Not attending to patients urgently when they could have.
• Misdiagnosing obvious conditions.
• Giving wrong medical advice (sometimes fatal).
• Performing surgery without patient consent.
• Wrong prescriptions.
• Failure to transfer a patient to a better-equipped facility.
• Failure to keep medical records or communicate updates.

Sounds scary? It is. A 2016 PREMIUM TIMES investigation documented shocking cases at the Federal Staff Hospital in Abuja — proving this is not hypothetical.

How To Report a Medical Doctor for Medical Malpractice in Nigeria

So, what should you do if you or a loved one suffers from medical negligence? You’ve got options: 1. Report to the Police If negligence caused serious injury or death, it’s not just malpractice — it could be a crime. File a report at the police station. They can investigate and prosecute under criminal law. 2. File a Complaint with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) The MDCN is the official watchdog for doctors. They have the power to:

• Investigate malpractice.
• Suspend doctors for up to 6 months.
• Strike their names off the medical register.

Their Disciplinary Tribunal has the same powers as a High Court, meaning their rulings carry serious weight.

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3. Seek Legal Redress in Court You can file a civil lawsuit claiming damages for negligence. This is where you say, “Doctor, your mistake cost me my health/money/life savings, now pay up.” Challenges? Doctors often refuse to testify against each other, making evidence tricky. But with the right lawyer, you can win compensation. 4. Explore Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) If court drama isn’t your style, you can try mediation or arbitration. It’s faster, cheaper, and often less stressful. You may not send the doctor to prison, but you can still get justice or compensation.

Why This Matters: Medical Negligence Is Deadly in Nigeria

Every week, Nigerians die because of avoidable medical errors. And the tragedy is that many families don’t know they can fight back. They grieve, complain, and move on – while negligent doctors continue practicing. This silence only fuels the problem. If more patients reported malpractice, hospitals would clean up their act, and doctors would think twice before being careless.

Protecting Yourself and Demanding Justice

Reporting a doctor for malpractice might feel intimidating, but remember: your life is worth more than a shrug and a wrong prescription.

• Document everything (dates, symptoms, receipts, conversations).
• Don’t stay silent if something feels off.
• Take action — whether through the MDCN, police, or courts.

Because in Nigeria, staying quiet can literally be deadly. Have you or someone you know experienced medical negligence in Nigeria? Share your story in the comments — let’s start holding the system accountable.

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