By Destiny Obinna
Medical negligence, its impact on patients and healthcare professionals, and the challenges surrounding accountability and access to justice will take centre stage in Lagos on September 24 as health and legal experts converge for a symposium on patient safety and clinical governance.
The symposium, titled “The Hidden Cost of Medical Negligence and the Conundrum of Justice,” is being organised by Patient Academy International in collaboration with Medilag Consult, the consulting and training arm of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
The event, scheduled for the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, Idi-Araba, Lagos, will bring together healthcare professionals, legal experts, policymakers, patient advocates, academics and other stakeholders to examine the less visible consequences of medical negligence.
According to the organisers, the consequences extend beyond patients who suffer harm to their families and carers, healthcare professionals, health facilities and the wider healthcare system.
Discussions at the symposium will focus on patient safety, clinical governance, accountability, patient experience and health law, with particular attention to how the justice system handles cases of alleged medical negligence.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Dike Obalum, Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology and Senior Lecturer in Law, while a four-member panel will further examine the subject from medical, legal and patient-centred perspectives.
Speaking on the rationale for the programme, Director of Medilag Consult, Prof. Kola Oyedeji, said the collaboration was aimed at promoting knowledge-sharing and best practices that could help reduce medical negligence.
Oyedeji said: “Medilag Consult, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos is happy to partner with Patient Academy International in creating a platform for sharing knowledge and best practice with the aim of reducing the incidence of medical negligence, and bringing to the fore its impact on patients, health care professionals, and health facilities.”
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of Patient Academy International, Kunle Thomas, said the symposium would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to develop a coordinated approach to addressing medical negligence and its consequences.
Thomas said: “We are privileged to partner with the College of Medicine, University of Lagos in organising this symposium, to stimulate dialogue and create a joined-up approach to tackling medical negligence and understanding the processes and impact of justice on all concerned.”
The organisers said the meeting would seek to broaden the conversation beyond individual cases by examining the systemic issues surrounding patient safety, accountability and clinical governance.
They added that stronger patient experience and clinical governance mechanisms were essential to preventing avoidable harm and improving confidence in the healthcare system.
Patient Academy International specialises in patient experience, patient-public engagement and clinical governance. Its founder and CEO, Thomas, has more than 25 years’ experience working across the UK health sector, including the National Health Service, non-departmental public bodies, health and care charities and academia.
He is the author of Dear Patient – A Practical Guide to Patient Experience, published in London in 2023.
The organisation is incorporated in Nigeria as Patient Experience Academy Nigeria Ltd and has operated in the country since 2014.
In March 2026, Patient Academy International organised a programme titled “Reimagining Health Care Through Innovative & Tech Driven Patient Experience,” during which it launched its digital feedback platform, MyVoiceMyHealth.
The event featured the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare as Special Guest of Honour and keynote speaker.
The forthcoming symposium is expected to deepen stakeholder discussions on medical negligence while exploring practical approaches to strengthening patient safety, accountability, clinical governance and access to justice.
