Establishment of the office of health care ombudsperson : a means to ensuring accountability for health care in Nigeria

Abstract

The research work generally looks at the importance of the office of health care ombudsperson. It proposed the establishment of the Office of Health Care Ombudsperson in Nigeria as a means of ensuring accountability for the realisation of full reproductive health care rights by Nigerians. This was done by looking at the national and international laws guaranteeing the right to health in Nigeria, the general concept of the ombudsperson and the success of its establishment in other jurisdictions. It further highlighted how establishment of the Office of Health Care Ombudsperson will help improve the health care system, prevent the same problem from repeating itself and how it will make reproductive health care services better. The research work also provides an insight for governments at all levels of the Nigerian federation to have a critical consideration on establishing a separate authority like the office of health care ombudsperson so as to address complaints relating to health care service and thereby fulfilling their international obligations under international and regional laws. The research work is structured to answer one main question and three sub-questions. The main question is how can the establishment of the health ombudsperson’s office ensure accountability for reproductive health care in Nigeria? The sub-questions are structured to answer firstly, what is the importance of establishing the office of health care ombudsperson? Secondly, how can the negligence of healthcare professionals be addressed by the health care Ombudsperson? And lastly, what will be the benefit of resorting to health care Ombudsperson as against litigation? The research work therefore attempted to answer all three questions and make recommendations for the establishment of the office of the health care ombudsperson in Nigeria.