Medical misdiagnosis: A silent threat in Nigeria’s healthcare system
Mrs Titiloye Aare’s near-fatal experience with a high blood pressure misdiagnosis highlights a critical flaw in Nigeria’s healthcare system, where medical errors put lives at risk and strain already limited resources.
For many patients in Nigeria, a visit to the hospital is expected to bring relief and healing.
However, growing cases of medical misdiagnosis are raising concerns among experts and patients alike, as wrong diagnoses expose individuals to dangerous treatments and life-threatening complications.
Aare recounted how a wrong diagnosis at a private hospital in February 2025 led to medication that caused her to lose consciousness and nearly cost her life.
She said she was in her shop in Osogbo when she suddenly felt dizzy and fainted while attending to a customer; she was rushed to a nearby private hospital, revived, and later diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Doctors immediately placed her on medication to lower her blood pressure.
However, in April of the same year, she experienced another dizzy spell and again lost consciousness.
She was rushed to a general hospital, where doctors discovered that the medication she had been taking had lowered her blood pressure below normal levels.
“When I asked the doctor why the medication caused me to faint, he explained that it had lowered my blood pressure below the normal range,” she said.
Doctors at the general hospital later informed her that she had been wrongly diagnosed at the first hospital.
Doctors later explained that her condition was vasovagal syncope, a medical condition caused by a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, which reduces blood flow to the brain and leads to a brief loss of consciousness.
They warned that the continued use of medication prescribed to lower blood pressure could have severely reduced blood flow to her heart and brain, potentially resulting in death.
Aare’s experience reflects a growing concern about medical misdiagnosis in Nigeria.
While some patients survive to share their stories, others are not as fortunate.
Medical experts say accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective healthcare.
When a condition is correctly identified, appropriate treatment can begin promptly, improving recovery and reducing complications.
Yet misdiagnosis—where a patient’s illness is wrongly identified or overlooked—remains a serious but often underreported problem in many parts of Nigeria.
In some cases, patients receive treatment for illnesses such as malaria or typhoid when the actual condition may be bacterial infections, viral diseases, or chronic conditions.
Misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare professional incorrectly identifies a disease, delays its identification, or fails to detect it entirely.
This may result in wrong treatment or no treatment at all, often leading to prolonged illness, worsening conditions, unnecessary financial costs, and sometimes death.
A Consultant Paediatrician at Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Dr Funmi Adesokan, said many hospitals, particularly public ones, lacked the diagnostic equipment needed for accurate patient evaluation.
“This leads to delays in diagnosis or the inability to make a conclusive diagnosis. Public-private partnerships may help provide equipment, but improved government funding is essential,” she said.
Adesokan, however, cautioned that isolated mistakes should not define the entire healthcare system.
Similarly, a gynaecologist, Dr Nurudeen Iyanda, said many hospitals and clinics lacked modern diagnostic equipment required for accurate diagnosis.
“Many modern diagnostic tools, such as advanced laboratory equipment, imaging machines, and reliable testing facilities, are not available in many hospitals.
“Without proper equipment, healthcare providers often rely on symptoms alone, increasing the chances of error,” he said.
Dr Adeniyi Fasanu, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Osun, said misdiagnosis is also fueled by a shortage of manpower.
“Many medical professionals have left the country due to poor remuneration and insecurity, leaving remaining doctors overworked and overstretched.
“The shortage has also created opportunities for unqualified individuals to operate medical facilities and treat unsuspecting patients.
“This is creating havoc in the health system,” he said.
Fasanu noted that the WHO recommends a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:600, but in Nigeria one doctor may serve up to 2,500 patients.
He added that many government hospitals relied on obsolete equipment, making it difficult for doctors to practise effectively, and appealed to the government to prioritise the health sector and welfare of medical personnel.
On legal remedies, a lawyer, Mr Albert Akinwale, said victims of wrong diagnosis can seek redress in court under Nigerian law.
According to Akinwale, sections 303 and 343 of the Criminal Code provide that any act of negligence that endangers life or causes harm could attract criminal liability.
He said victims could also rely on the law of tort to claim medical negligence, breach of duty of care, and compensation for pain, suffering, and financial losses.
“Victims are protected under various provisions of Nigerian law, including the Criminal Code, Penal Code, and civil laws on negligence.
“Sections 15 and 16 of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act provide for disciplinary procedures, including warnings, suspension, or striking off a doctor’s name from the medical register.
“The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) also has the authority to discipline erring practitioners”, he said.
Akinwale urged patients who suspect misdiagnosis to seek a second medical opinion and explore legal or regulatory remedies where harm has occurred.
Public affairs analyst , Mr Olusegun Ayanda, said addressing misdiagnosis required coordinated efforts from government, healthcare institutions, and medical professionals.
Ayanda stressed the need for improved diagnostic infrastructure, investment in modern laboratories and equipment, continuous professional development programmes for healthcare workers, and recruitment of more professionals to reduce patient-to-doctor ratios.
Similarly, the Chief Medical Director of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, called on the Federal Government to increase funding for the healthcare sector and improve the availability of modern medical equipment.
Okeniyi said the sector had long suffered from inadequate funding, resulting in limited resources for upgrading equipment, purchasing new medical supplies, and maintaining existing infrastructure.
According to him, the healthcare system requires adequate supplies, improved infrastructure, and a comprehensive overhaul of the remuneration structure for health personnel to align with global best practices.
The CMD noted that if indeed “health is wealth,” the country must invest more in the sector and implement mandatory continuous professional development programmes for healthcare workers to keep them updated with the latest medical knowledge and best practices.
Medical experts say misdiagnosis has consequences beyond individual patients. Families may spend significant sums on treatments that fail to address the actual illness.
Although misdiagnosis is a serious challenge, experts say it can be reduced through investment in medical infrastructure, improved training, stronger healthcare policies, and increased public awareness.
Obtaining an accurate diagnosis, as experts emphasise, is vital for effective treatment; it builds public confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system and ensures citizens remain safe and healthy.
