SUNU Health Nigeria Limited, a Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO), has emphasised the need for qualitative healthcare delivery at a cost-effective price.
Dr. Patrick Korie made this call during a webinar titled “Medical Ethics and the Delivery of Quality Care,” held in Lagos on Thursday. He explained that the webinar is a routine meeting where the HMO collaborates with stakeholders to identify best practices for optimal healthcare delivery.
Dr. Korie stated that the objective of the webinar is to ensure the provision of qualitative healthcare that is both effective and affordable. He noted that, given the current economic climate, it is crucial to discuss medical ethics and how they influence care delivery.
“Considering the whole scenario of the economy, thinking about medical ethics and how to provide care is very important,” Korie said. He emphasised that discussions on medical ethics should encompass not only the responsibilities of medical practitioners but also the rights and expectations of patients seeking care.
The guest speaker, Rev. Fr. Udochukwu Ugorji, highlighted the growing awareness among patients regarding their rights, which has led to an increase in litigation consciousness.
He stated, “The medical practitioner must be well-versed, not only in their medical specialty but also in their duties and responsibilities within their practice.” Ugorji stressed the importance of being knowledgeable about the laws and ethics of the profession to mitigate the risk of liability suits. He also pointed out that practitioners must be prepared to defend themselves in legal settings or before professional disciplinary tribunals.
“In light of the rising burden of liability suits, practitioners should recognise the significance of having liability insurance coverage,” Ugorji added.
He further recommended the establishment of Hospital Ethics Committees, Ethics Rounds, Patient Ethics Education, and Grand Medical Ethics Consultations as measures to sustain policy and protocol implementation and foster a healthy culture within clinical settings.
