Nigerian medical associations call for higher ethics and fight against quackery

Medical professional organizations in Nigeria are calling for increased ethical standards and a crackdown on unqualified practitioners to restore public trust in the healthcare system.

At the 27th Annual General Meeting of the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) in Ilorin, Emeritus Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede warned of a “loss of ihsan,” or excellence, in Nigerian medicine. He emphasized that medical practice must integrate compassion, competence, and conscience, noting that competence without compassion can be “dehumanising” and competence without conscience can lead to exploitation.

Separately, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urged doctors to lead the fight against quackery and unethical conduct. NMA President Prof. Afekhide Omoti stated that while fighting external threats like unqualified practitioners is a priority, doctors must also uphold high ethical standards within their own profession to address declining public confidence and workforce shortages.