Medico-legal-: Clinicians owe a duty to treat you well and with dignity.

 Duty of Care: All clinicians (doctors and nurses and others) owe their clients a duty of care to wit: to diligently provide a care that is appropriate, timely and safe for their patients. Failing to do so is a breach of the law and such breach may amount to negligence. If it leads to harm, such negligence may lead to criminal prosecution by the state. The Right of Patients: Apart from the code of conduct that regulates the respective professionals which also provides safeguards for patients, consumers of healthcare service are also protected under the National Health Care Act of 2014. I have copied verbatim such, rights and safeguards under sections 23-28 of the National Healthcare Act 2014. Let us call these provisions our own Nigerian " Patients' Bill of Rights." (a) The user's health status except in circumstances where there is substantial evidence that the disclosure of the users health status would be contrary to the best interests of the user; (b) The range of diagnostic procedures and treatment options generally available to the user; (c) the benefits, risks, costs and consequences generally associated with each option; and (d) the user's right to refuse health services and explain the implications, risks, obligations of such refusal. (2) The health care provider concerned shall, where possible, inform the user in a language that the user understands and in a manner which takes into account the user's level of literacy. (a) the types of health services available; (b) the organisation of health services; (c) operating schedules and timetables of visits; (d) procedures for laying complaints; and (e) the rights and duties of users and health care providers. Confidentiality (2) Subject to Section 27, no person may disclose any information contemplated in subsection (1) unless- (a) the user consents to that disclosure in writing; (b) a court order or any law requires that disclosure; or (i) in the case of a minor with the request of a parent or guardian; and (ii) in the case of a person who is otherwise unable to grant consent upon the request of a guardian or representative. (c) non-disclosure of the information represents a serious threat to public health. (1) A health care provider may examine a user's health records for the purposes of: (a) treatment with the authorisation of the user; and (b) Study, teaching or research with the authorisation of the user, head of the health establishment concerned and the relevant health research ethics committee. (2) If the study, teaching or research under subsection (l)(b) of this section reflects or obtains no information as to the identity of the user concerned, it is not necessary to obtain the authorisations contemplated in that subsection. The Rights of Care Providers and Clinicians: Please be aware also that, doctors and nurses are professionals and are human. As a member of society, healthcare institutions and the people working their also have rights and privileges. They are also protected, under the law and their own code of conducts. Clinical Negligence: A breach of duty in duty of care, breach of confidentiality, assaults, battery, clinical malpractice are all forms of dereliction of duty by the clinician. These failings can be remedied via civil legal process or as the case may be via the criminal justice system notwithstanding the remedy that may be provided by the employer of the doctor and the respective regulatory authorities. However, the ball is in the court of the patients. In Nigeria, such patients may be too poor or ignorant or both to take appropriate action to correct a clinical injury. Summary: A quality healthcare system is an interaction, checks and balances between providers and consumers. Breaches of the law by clinicians can be reported to their respective regulators and the state justice system in both criminal and civil restitution courts. On the other hand, doctors, physiotherapists, pharmacists and nurses also have rights to self defence, to correct erring patients and to also uphold the dignity of their respective professions while aspiring to provide the very best of care. That said, although apparently unknown to the consumers, the most important regulator of clinicians remain the patients or consumer of their clinical services. Thus, medico-legal pursuit is an integral part of the healthcare system albeit not a persecutor of care providers.  

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