Ozekhome (SAN) Unveils Institute Of Medical And Health Law (IMHL), As New Members Are Inducted into The Institue At MELPAN 2022 Conference On Medical And Health Law
The Medical Law Professionals Association of Nigeria (MELPAN), held its 2nd annual conference on 28th and 29th of November, 2022 at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) Abuja, with the theme “Health System in Nigeria: Getting Government to be More Responsive under the Law”
Chief Mike A.A. Ozekhome, SAN, CON, OFR, Ph.D was the Chairman of the occasion, while Yusuf Ali (SAN) was the Keynote Speaker. Also in attendance were the Administrator of National Judicial Institute (NJI), Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, ably represented by Dr. O. J. Onuchukwu, the Chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN), who was also represented by Dr. (Mrs) Grace Chinda, Prof. M. T. Abdulrazaq (SAN), Dr. Doyin Awoyale (SAN), the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Abuja Branch, Dr. Charles Ugwuanyi, Prof. Akinola Bukola, Dean of Faculty of Law, Redeemer’s University, Dr. Kaase Fyanka of the faculty of law, Benue State University and a host of others.
The 2-day event was segmented into two major activities. While the first day was for training of prospective inductees, covering topics such as “The History of Medical Liabilities, Concepts of Patient’s Autonomy and Self Determination”; “Basic Principles of Doctor/Patient Relationship, including Contract of Medical Service”; “General Principles of Medical Negligence and Types of Acts or Omissions that amount to Medical Negligence”; “Doctrine of Consent to Medical Treatment and Medical Confidentiality, including Defences” and a host of other topics.
The second day was the conference proper. A panel of discussants made up of seasoned doctors and lawyers dissected the theme of the conference “Health System in Nigeria: Getting Government to be More Responsive under the Law”, the Institute of Medical and Health Law was unveiled, and new members were inducted into the Institute.
While welcoming participants to the conference, the Chairman, Board of Trustees and National President of MELPAN, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, Ch.MLP, stated that “MELPAN is the forefonals in Nigeria with a world class vision of excellence towards advocatintr international best practice, promoting accountability, research, legal and institutional reforms in the health sector and advancement of medical law, health law, legal medicine, medico-legal jurisprudence and ethics, for the benefit of the society.” He further stated that MELPAN is not a rival body to the already existing bodies in the various healthcare profession; rather, it is an umbrella body where lawyers and healthcare professionals would collaborate to achieve the same goal of efficient, effective and optimum healthcare service delivery in our hospitals. He welcomed the participants and enjoined those to be inducted into the new Institute of Medical and Health Law to utilize the knowledge acquired during their training the previous day to advance the objective of MELPAN and the Institute.
After Prof. Abugu’s welcome address, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, CON, OFR, Ph.D delivered his speech, after which the panel of discussion did justice to the theme of the conference in a technical session.
Speaking as a member of the Panel of Discussion, Dr. Kaase Fyanka of Benue State University stressed the need to view the rights of patients as fundamental human rights as provided under chapter 4 of the 1999 constitution (As Amended), and to also leverage on the provisions on the constitution to extend the time within which a victim of medical malpractice or negligence could seek redress in court.
On his part, the Chairman of NMA, FCT Branch, Dr. Charles Ugwuanyi, speaking as a member of the Panel of Discussion, listed and explained the pillars of health system strengthening which include but not limited to Leadership, Funding, Human Capacity and Medical Services. He enumerated some challenges confronting the Nigerian heath system and the role of Government is resolving those issues. On the issue of funding the health sector, he urged the government to increase the budgetary allocation to the health sector progressively to attain at least the 15% recommended by Abuja Declaration of 2003 by African Heads of State. He further stated some negative attitudes of some patients and how they impact and paint a negative picture of the healthcare profession and put some doctors in bad light. Dr. Ugwuanyi lauded the leadership of MELPAN for setting up such organization and also expressed the willingness of NMA to collaborate with MELPAN in curbing incidences of medical malpractice and promoting professional accountability among healthcare professionals.
The high point of the conference was the unveiling of the INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH LAW, by no less a person than Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, CON, OFR, Ph.D. During his speech as the Chairman of the occasion, the learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, shared his personal experience of how he suffered acute toothache which could not be treated by hospitals in South Africa, USA and London over a period of six years, but was eventually treated in Nigeria. He emphasized the need for the government to play their part in strengthening our healthcare system as Nigeria parades an amazing array of healthcare professionals who are doing exploits in other parts of the world, particularly in Europe and America; this he said would curb the brain drain which the health sector is currently facing.
While unveiling the Institute, the learned Silk expressed optimism that the Institute would produce professionals, lawyers and healthcare practitioners alike, who are knowledgeable in medical ethics and the legal implication of patient’s rights violation or medical negligence. The Institute was unveiled at exactly 4:35pm on 29th November, 2022 as the hall erupted in thunderous applause and ecstasy by participants at the conference.
Immediately following the unveiling of the Institute of Medical and Health Law was the induction of new members who had been successfully trained the previous day into the Institute. A total of 45 new members were admitted into the Institute including Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, Yusuf Ali (SAN), Prof. M.T. Abdulrazaq (SAN), Prof. Bashiru Omipidan (the first Professor of Euthanasia and Medical Ethics in Africa and the only one in Nigeria for now) who were inducted in the Fellowship Cadre of Institute. The rest were inducted into Associate and Membership Carder of the Institute respectively.
The Institute of Medical and Health Law (IMHL), is the first Institute in Nigeria that trains prospective members on medical and health law, covering topics such as medical ethics, legal consent in medical treatment, medico-legal jurisprudence, patient’s rights and obligations, redress mechanisms for patient’s rights violation, various themes on Public Health Law, Health Security, Port Health Regulations, International Health Regulations etc. The Institute shall open its doors for the training of Lawyers and Medical professionals who are interested in building their capacity in this area of practice. For more information on the Institute, kindly visit www.melpan.com.
