Legal practitioners, in Ogun State, have been charged to uplift the standard of legal practice and equip their knowledge in aspects of law related to medical negligence.
Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, stated this at a workshop organised for members of Bar and Bench, with the theme; “Medical Negligence in Nigeria: an Unexplored Terrain”, held at the ceremonial court of the Judiciary Complex, Kobape, Abeokuta.
Justice Dipeolu, represented by Justice Olarewaju Mabekoje, said the theme was germane to tackling new and complex health issues, such as Ebola and Lassa fever, which patients should have knowledge of, so as to know their rights under the law, as regards any form of medical negligence.
The Chief Judge tasked legal practitioners to know their healthcare delivery rights and stand against all forms of negligence on the part of medical practitioners or care givers.
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In his speech, the guest lecturer, Prof. Babafemi Odunsi, pointed out that medical practitioners must have undergone certain periods of medical training and must be re-accessed before allowed to practice, noting that medical errors could constitute crime when resulted to death or injury.
Prof. Odunsi attributed medical negligence to carelessness, ignorance, laziness, lack of professionalism on the part of medical practitioners or care givers, among others.
Responding on behalf of the invited medical professionals, the Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Ismail Lawal stated that, ‘’if legal actions are taken on medical negligence, it would improve medical standard in the State and the country at large’’.