Abuja: Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has condemned negligence and declining ethical standards in the nation’s hospitals. Ndukuba called for a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery by prioritising human dignity, life-saving innovation, and equitable access to quality medical services. He made the call in Abuja at a Health Summit organised by the Health and Medical Taskforce of the Church.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the summit is themed, ‘Health Prosperity for All: Getting Things Done Rightly’. Ndukuba highlighted that corruption, negligence, concern for material possession, and mediocrity have infiltrated the healthcare system, similar to other professions. He lamented that the noble image of the medical profession has been tarnished by issues such as false diagnoses, extortionate billing, counterfeit drugs, lack of accountability, and poor patient care.
Ndukuba expressed concern that some Nigerian hospitals, both private and public, have become places where people die not due to a lack of medical knowledge, but because of a lack of compassion and ethics. He pointed out that critical and emergency patients are sometimes abandoned and required to pay before receiving life-saving interventions, which violates the Hippocratic oath and ethical principles.
The summit was described by Ndukuba as a rescue mission and a divinely guided agent for a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery in the country. Despite the challenges, he noted that Nigerian health and medical practitioners are among the best in the world, making significant contributions in many developed countries. To address these issues, Ndukuba emphasized the need to restore trust in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He also highlighted the role of churches and other religious-based organizations in healthcare, describing it as their mission field. The Anglican Church, he noted, has historically played a key role in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. Ndukuba encouraged churches to not only complement government efforts but to serve as an alternative for providing the best healthcare to the people.
Ndukuba advocated for parishes, dioceses, and provinces to establish, administer, and strengthen healthcare facilities and medical missions. He emphasized the importance of exploring training for health professionals, pharmaceutical production, and research laboratories. He assured that the Church of Nigeria would utilize healing and healthcare as tools for evangelism and mission.
Additionally, Ndukuba announced plans for establishing the Church of Nigeria Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) and Health Professionals Guild. He urged medical practitioners to uphold truth and excellence by establishing accountability structures in their health facilities and mentoring young practitioners in ethical practices.
The Chairperson at the event, Dr. Amal Pepple, added that Nigeria is facing numerous social development issues, including a lack of affordable, equitable, efficient, and accessible healthcare.