Often times, people leave the hospital complaining of medical practitioners’ neglect or mishandling of their medical case or that of their close associates, and instead of taking a legal action and asking for compensation they walk home angrily, saying it’s in the hand of God.
The unfortunate thing is that the hospital will not ask you to go free without paying your bill, even when the error came as a result of their mistake. So, why would you not make your case and claim damages if your right is trampled upon?
Most times, following the medical practitioners’ error of omission or commission, patients suffer misdiagnosis, neglect, bodily injury, mental injury and sometimes death.
It is not that you are being wicked or harsh to your health care provider or your doctor by asking for compensation over their error, it has been provided through an insurance cover by insurance companies.
The law establishing Health Management Organisations in the country provides that the primary health care providers must have a Professional Indemnity Insurance cover.
The insurance cover was to protect them against technical errors and neglect in the course of their duty.
Fola Daniel, commissioner for Insurance, said the commission has met with the regulatory authority of the HMO’s referring them to the session of the law establishing it, insisting that primary health care providers must have Professional Indemnity Insurance.
He said insurance companies are prepared to pay claims when they arise, challenging health care providers to take covers for their staff.
Caroline Cole, a medical doctor working with one of the big hospitals in Surulere, said it’s not that this insurance does not exist, but hardly do you find people coming for claims.
Cole noted that many people still do not know their right, and often ignores these claims even when they feel aggrieved.
She said hospitals would no doubt take the insurance more seriously as soon as people begin to come up with claims.
Experts say professional indemnity insurance is essential for any individual medical professional or medical establishment providing medical services because in today’s competitive, fast-moving environment, the potential for errors in the performance of services – alleged or actual – is all too real.
So, dissatisfied patients can sue when things go wrong and the financial ramifications can be severe.
MODESTUS ANAESORONYE
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