When Doves Cry: Some Perspectives on Medical Litigations in Nigeria

Medical litigation is one branch of litigation that is attracting a lot of interest in Nigeria in recent years. Apart from the very common cases of negligence in medical practices other causes of action are arising as a result of doctor-patient relationships with the doctor's responsibility to act in the best interest of his patient being often rewarded with stressful and expensive litigation. This paper specifically focuses only on litigation against medical doctors in the discharge of their duties to their patient whist highlighting the possible causes of action that may arise against doctors under the extant laws applicable in Nigeria. The paper also considers situations where doctors are caught in-between the need to preserve overall public health interests and the rights or interests of patients. The paper concludes that the plight and dilemma of doctors should not be perceived negatively but rather positively bearing in mind the humane and humanitarian calling of their profession.