Nigerian Health System Taken Over By Uncertified Doctors

Fake doctors are causing more harm than good by providing medical services.  (Guardian Nigeria)

Nigeria's health care system seems to be in trouble as quack doctors are posing to offer medical help and services to patients in return for money.

In Nigeria, a country ranked at 187th out of 191 by the World Health Organization it isn't uncommon to go through streets all over the country to find them littered with various health clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and surgeries.

As the government's health care system is so underfunded and overstretched,  private medical outfits seek to fill the gaps and help provide an alternative choice.

But despite the presence of these many medical organizations, the health care system is nothing to write home about and most of these medical organizations are a cover for uncertified doctors who pass themselves off as qualified to diagnose and treat patients.

Who are the victims of quack doctors?

The investigation delved deep into the underworld of quack medical services and showed that most of the patients to these quack doctors are poor or ignorant of what they are getting themselves into.

Although some private health providers are legitimate there are also a lot more that are not. They pass themselves off as doctors in order to exploit the ignorance and desperation of the poor and vulnerable people.

In a survey carried out in Nigeria in 2014, it was found that more than 50 percent of the population had received 'treatment' from the quacks at one time or another for very serious diseases such as typhoid and malaria.

What are the authorities doing to solve the problem?

In October this year, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) publicly called upon the Senate to pass a "Medical Anti-Quackery Bill".

The government is seen to be little or next to nothing in solving the problem of getting the country rid of fake doctors who are responsible for deaths and injuries than actual cures.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN