BY TONY OKAFOR
The tragic story of Kemi, a pregnant woman who died in labor after being rejected by a hospital due to her husband’s inability to pay a ₦500,000 deposit, is an indictment of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
This heart-wrenching incident is a betrayal of the Hippocratic Oath, which guides medical practice worldwide.
The oath is clear: medical professionals must provide compassionate and competent care to all patients, regardless of their background or financial status.
The actions of the hospital in question are a blatant disregard for this oath.
By prioritizing profits over patients’ lives, they have failed in their duty to provide care and compassion.
This incident is not an isolated case; many Nigerians have been forced to seek medical attention from quacks due to the exorbitant costs of healthcare.
The consequences are devastating: unnecessary deaths, prolonged suffering, and a breakdown of trust in the medical profession.
The Nigerian Medical Association must take immediate action to address this issue. Hospitals found guilty of such negligence should face severe penalties, including revocation of licenses and prosecution of culpable medical professionals.
The government must also work towards implementing a comprehensive healthcare system that provides affordable access to quality medical care for all citizens.
Regulation of healthcare costs is imperative. The Nigerian Medical Association and relevant authorities should establish and enforce strict guidelines on healthcare costs, ensuring that hospitals do not exploit patients’ desperation.
Hospitals should be required to disclose their fees and treatment protocols clearly, and medical professionals should be held accountable for any negligence or misconduct.
We remind our medical professionals that the gift of healing is a sacred trust from God. As they take the Hippocratic Oath, they swear to uphold the highest standards of compassion, integrity, and professionalism.
We urge them to remember their oath and prioritize the well-being of their patients above all else.
The memory of Kemi and others who have suffered similar fates should serve as a catalyst for change.
We must reclaim the sanctity of the medical profession and restore the trust that has been lost.
This requires a collective effort from medical professionals, policymakers, and the public. Together, we can create a healthcare system that truly serves the vulnerable and upholds the principles of compassion, justice, and human dignity.
