Why Nigeria’s Patients’ Bill of Rights matters for every patient
Nigeria’s Patients’ Bill of Rights, introduced in 2018, makes clear that healthcare is a right to be delivered with dignity, respect and accountability.
1 min read
Many patients know a particular kind of fear. You arrive at a hospital already worried about your health, hoping for care and clear answers. Too often, and especially for people from marginalised communities, what they meet instead is silence, disrespect, confusion, a lack of privacy, or treatment decisions made without proper explanation.
Nigeria’s Patients’ Bill of Rights was introduced in 2018 to address this. Too many patients were experiencing neglect, poor communication, lack of informed consent, breaches of confidentiality, unfair treatment and denial of proper care. The Bill makes clear that healthcare is not a favour but a right, that every patient has a voice, and that health workers and facilities have a duty to protect it.
Patients have a right to information, privacy, consent, respectful care and continuity of treatment. Violating these rights is a serious breach of duty. Depending on the nature of the violation, it can lead to complaints, disciplinary action, professional sanctions, investigations and legal consequences.
In March 2026, Olive Rights to Health Initiative (ORHI) shared a public education series on the Bill to help more people understand these rights. Better healthcare begins when patients know their rights and providers are held accountable. We encourage everyone to know their rights, speak up and expect to be treated with dignity.
