What Healthcare Rights You Have as a Patient in Nigeria

A sick person arrives at a hospital after a long, expensive journey. Maybe they’re told to wait for hours without being seen, or a procedure is done without a clear explanation, or they are asked to pay huge, unexpected fees. These stressful situations are far too common in Nigeria, where power imbalances can make patients feel helpless.

But as a patient, you are not helpless. You have fundamental healthcare rights designed to protect your dignity, your safety, and your well-being, whether you are at a remote Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), a major city hospital, or talking to a doctor on the phone.

This article from MyCyberClinics is a vital tool to empower you. We will break down the essential rights guaranteed under Nigeria’s Patients’ Bill of Rights (PBoR), launched by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and show you how to ensure those rights are respected in every healthcare interaction.

The Problem: The Need for Patient Power

When you are sick, you are vulnerable. Unfortunately, a lack of information or education on patient rights can lead to poor experiences and dangerous outcomes.

Common Problems Patients Face in Nigeria:

• Poor Communication: Doctors or nurses don’t clearly explain a diagnosis or treatment plan, leaving the patient confused.
• Unnecessary Delays: Patients are forced to wait for hours, or even days, for critical care, especially in public hospitals.
• Financial Exploitation: Being charged surprise fees or having essential services withheld until payment is made.
• Lack of Respect: Being treated rudely, judged, or having private health details shared without permission.

These problems can be worse for those in remote areas who have fewer choices and for those in city hospitals who face congestion and overworked staff.

Understanding Your Rights: The Patient’s Bill of Rights

The Nigerian Patient’s Bill of Rights (PBoR) is a document that spells out exactly what every Nigerian citizen is entitled to when seeking and receiving healthcare. Here are the core rights you must know:

1. The Right to Information and Explanation

This is your right to clearly understand everything about your condition and treatment.

• You have the right to get a complete explanation of your illness, the tests needed, and the results, using language you can easily understand (no complex medical jargon!).
• You have the right to know the names and professional status of the healthcare professionals treating you.
• You have the right to a clear explanation of all the treatment options available, including the risks and benefits of each.

2. The Right to Consent and Refusal

Your body, your choice. No one can force you to undergo a procedure.

• You have the right to give informed consent (permission) before any test, surgery, or treatment is performed. “Informed” means the doctor must tell you clearly what will happen and why.
• You have the right to refuse treatment, even if the doctor believes it’s necessary. If you refuse, the doctor must explain the possible consequences of your refusal.

3. The Right to Privacy and Confidentiality

Your health details are your business alone.

• You have the right to have your medical records and details kept confidential (private). Your information cannot be shared with anyone without your permission, except in very specific legal situations.
• You have the right to privacy during examination, consultation, and treatment.

4. The Right to Quality and Safety

This right ensures you get the best possible care, safely.

• You have the right to receive care that meets professional standards, regardless of your tribe, religion, or ability to pay.
• In an emergency, you have the right to initial stabilization and treatment without being asked for money first. You must be stable before discussions about payment or transfer begin.

Empowering Yourself: Actions You Can Take

Knowing your rights is the first step. Here’s what you can do immediately, especially when access to help is difficult:

1. Ask Clear Questions (Your Power Tool)

Never be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t understand something, ask the healthcare worker to explain it again.

• “Doctor, what is the name of my sickness, and what exactly does it mean for my body?”
• “What are the benefits and risks of this medication, and are there other options?”
• “Can you clearly break down the cost for me before the treatment starts?”

2. Take Notes

Keep a small notebook or use your phone’s notepad to write down the name of your diagnosis, the drug names, and the instructions given by the doctor. If you are alone, ask a friend or family member to come with you or take notes for you.

3. Use Telemedicine for Clarity

If you leave a clinic feeling confused or if you are unsure about a decision, use MyCyberClinics to get a second professional opinion from your phone. Our licensed doctors can help explain complicated diagnoses or treatment plans in a clear, accessible way, ensuring you understand your options before moving forward.

Common Misconceptions About Patient Rights

Myth 1: “A doctor can refuse to treat me if I question their decision.”

• Fact: Doctors are professionally and ethically bound to treat you respectfully. Questioning a decision is your right to informed consent, not a basis for refusing care. A good doctor will welcome your questions.

Myth 2: “If I cannot pay immediately, the hospital has the right to keep me.”

• Fact: While hospitals can ask for payment, detaining a patient against their will for financial reasons (or for any reason other than a medical or legal necessity) is a violation of human rights and the PBoR. Initial emergency stabilization must also be provided before payment discussions.

Myth 3: “If I am taken to a hospital after an accident, the doctor must treat me regardless of the time or resources.”

• Fact: While initial stabilization is mandatory, if the hospital is a small facility (like a PHC) and lacks the resources (equipment, specialist doctor) to safely handle your emergency, they have a right and duty to inform you and refer you to a better-equipped hospital. This is called the Right to Continuity of Care.

What You Can Do Today

Empower yourself and your community by acting on these rights.

1. Print or Save the Rights: Save the official Patients’ Bill of Rights on your phone. Knowing these points will give you confidence during any hospital visit.
2. Use Telemedicine as Your Advocate: Before agreeing to an expensive or complicated procedure, use MyCyberClinics to consult a licensed doctor. They can help you understand if the procedure is necessary and confirm the best course of action.
3. Insist on Explanations: Make a personal commitment: never leave a clinic or consultation without fully understanding your diagnosis, treatment, and costs.
4. Report Violations: If you witness a clear violation of patient rights (e.g., refusal of emergency care, rude treatment), report it to the hospital administration or the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for investigation.

Your health is your most important asset, and your rights are your best shield. Use them wisely.

Share this post with your family and neighbors to empower them. Use your rights to demand respectful and quality care. For a quick, affordable, and respectful medical consultation where your rights are always upheld, connect with a doctor on MyCyberClinics today.