A professor of Health Law at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo State, Leroy Edozien, has disclosed that patient safety incidents, also referred to as ‘medical accidents,’ lead to more than three million deaths globally every year.

According to him, one in 24 people die from unsafe hospital care, and a national survey of doctors, pharmacists, and nurses in Nigeria showed the prevalence of self-reported medication errors was 47 per cent.

Edozien, who stated that patient safety incidents include medication errors, patient misidentification, blood transfusion errors, and diagnostic errors, among others, revealed that the statistics have grave implications for patients, their families, clinicians, and the country.

The dean of the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology disclosed this during the 3rd University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) Postgraduate School Interdisciplinary Discourse Lecture held on Thursday at Oladipo Akinkugbe Hall of the institution. Nigerian Airways plane models

While stating that the epidemiology of patient safety is astounding but poorly appreciated, he stressed that “it is estimated that across the world, one in every 10 patients is harmed in health care, and one in four hospitalisations results in harm in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs).

“One in 24 people die from unsafe hospital care, and a national survey of doctors, pharmacists, and nurses in Nigeria showed the prevalence of self-reported medication errors was 47 per cent.” Nigerian Airways plane models

“A medical accident is an event or circumstance that could have resulted, or did result, in unnecessary harm to a patient. The implications, among others, include physical trauma, psychological trauma, emotional distress, and financial devastation.”

Drawing from real-life cases in Nigeria and across the world, Edozien stressed the urgent need for systemic improvements. He advocated for clinical governance reforms and enhanced patient safety education and training as key strategies to mitigate these preventable incidents.

The Dean of UNIMED’s Postgraduate, Prof. Michael Asuzu, who explained the lecture’s objective, stated that the series aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration by bringing together academics, both within and outside the institution, who have engaged in research or initiatives promoting inter-professional cooperation in healthcare.

He said, “This platform allows experts to share insights and experiences that align with UNIMED’s commitment to excellence in medical education and patient care.” (The Guardian, but headline rejigged)