Lagos: A Senior Medical Officer, Dr Babatope Adeoya, says mentally stable women have rights to sign consent forms for their own surgeries without waiting for a spouse’s signature.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr Babatope Adeoya, who is a Senior Medical Officer at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Isolo General Hospital in Lagos, shared insights during a discussion in Lagos. He highlighted the importance of women being financially prepared for emergencies, particularly if their partners refuse to take responsibility. Adeoya emphasized that the primary concern is the woman’s life, and advised women to save money for potential emergencies.
Dr Vincent Nweze, a Family Physician at Outreach Women and Children’s Hospital, Okota, also spoke with NAN, underscoring the necessity of consent in medical and life-threatening situations. He stressed the importance of trust-building between healthcare professionals and patients during antenatal care, which helps women prepare for potential complications and make informed decisions.
Some women who have undergone surgeries shared their experiences with NAN. Mrs Nelly Okafor recounted being prepared to sign consent for an elective Caesarean Section if her husband had been unavailable. Mrs Grace Roberts mentioned her husband’s cooperation in signing the consent form for her surgery. However, Mrs Alia Ake faced challenges when her husband refused to sign for an emergency CS due to cultural and religious beliefs, leading to a rift in their marriage.
Mrs Eda Ukpo described her experience of signing her own consent form and paying for a procedure to remove fibroids, as she was estranged from her husband at the time.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 23 of the National Health Act 2014 in Nigeria supports the right of a patient of sound mind to sign their own consent forms, except in cases involving minors or individuals who are mentally incapacitated, where a guardian or next of kin’s permission is required. The World Medical Association Declaration of Lisbon also reinforces this right for competent patients.