LEGAL IMPERATIVE FOR PATIENTS’ SAFETY UNDER COVID-19 CARE AND TREATMENT PROTOCOL IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The principle of patients’ safety is fundamental to any modern health care system in the world today. It seeks to ensure that patients get adequate attention and prevention of any adverse physical, social, emotional or psychological events due to medical errors or inadequate medical facilities or improper environment while undergoing treatment in a health facility. In Nigeria this principle is more adhered to in breach than in observance in healthcare delivery and, particularly, in the care and treatment protocols of the COVID-19 patients. In this paper, attempt is made to espouse the general principle of patients’ safety and to set out the law, the exceptions and the various aspects of violation of the principles of patients’ safety in the care and treatment of Covid-19 patients in Nigeria. A case is finally made for the establishment of a legal framework for patients’ safety in Nigeria to enhance the application of the principle in Nigerian healthcare delivery system and particularly in the treatment and care of the Covid-19 patients.