Health
My 1Health Connects Patients With Global Healthcare Expertise
Between 2011 and 2019, life expectancy across sub-Saharan Africa rose from 57.56 to 61.24 years. While there was a slight dip at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, that rise is pretty remarkable. Even more remarkable is the fact that life expectancy in the region was just 50 at the turn of the millennium. While there are numerous factors behind that rise, economic growth and improved disease prevention and treatment are among the most notable.
The former has ensured that a growing proportion of Africans have access to the basic infrastructure, like clean drinking water, that is so important to our overall health. The latter, meanwhile, means that diseases such as HIV/Aids, Malaria, and Tuberculosis are no longer as deadly as they once were (particularly to young people). Even with those advances, however, Africa still faces significant healthcare challenges. According to a 2021 report, close to half of Africans still don’t have access to the healthcare they need. And even when they do have access, attaining that healthcare can be incredibly time-consuming and frustrating. You only need to look at the queues at hospitals and clinics to see exactly how painful it can be.
One company, however, is trying to eliminate at least some of those frustrations, not just for Africans but for people around the globe. Founded in Nairobi, Kenya in 2018, My 1Health is a medical facilitator that’s dedicated to giving ordinary Africans access to specialised healthcare services globally. Beyond simply connecting people with healthcare expertise, My 1Health allows users to request emergency medical evacuations, have their cases reviewed by leading specialists, and receive tailored health packages to detect critical conditions or diseases early.
Additionally, it can assist with visa applications and facilitate airport transfers, hotel bookings, travel itineraries, and post-treatment follow-ups. Anyone who’s ever sought treatment in another city, never mind country, knows how difficult organising all of those things can be when you try and do them on your own.
According to Ephraim Mwangi, Head of Growth Marketing at My1Health, the products and services offered by the company have evolved but have always been wedded to its central vision.
“The goal was to create a platform that simplifies patients’ access to global healthcare services, irrespective of location,” he says. “Recognising the increasing demand for specialised services, our journey has been dedicated to expanding our services globally.”
“Providing multiple solutions is integral to enhancing user experience, ensuring accessibility through our smartphone app and web interface,” he adds. “Our commitment to refining and evolving our offerings reflects our dedication to global impact in the specialised healthcare industry.”
According to Mwangi, a key moment in My 1Health achieving this vision was the merger of International Medical Treatment Ltd and My Health Africa, resulting in a unified platform.
“This merger positioned us as global leaders in medical facilitation, constantly seeking new partnerships to fortify our presence worldwide,” he says. “By uniting the best of both worlds, the merger unlocked exponential opportunities. Our expanded network of 1 500+ doctors, 100+ hospitals, and a global reach has enabled over 40,000+ medical journeys.”
Ultimately, this means that patients have a greater level of choice than they would if they were restricted to their hometowns, cities, and countries.
“We empower patients with choice, offering local care when available and seamlessly connecting them with top global experts when needed,” says Mwangi. “This dual approach bridges the specialist gap while expanding options, ensuring everyone receives the best possible care, regardless of geographical constraints.”
According to Mwangi, the fact that My 1Health has been able to achieve everything it has is in no small part down to the way healthcare professionals have embraced the platform.
“My 1Health’s offerings have been embraced by doctors and healthcare workers,” he says. “We continue to forge strategic partnerships with hospitals and clinics, integrating seamlessly into existing workflows and empowering local healthcare teams.”
The My 1Health team has, of course, worked hard to ensure that it is a platform they can embrace.
“We have developed a collaborative approach that fosters trust and adoption, driving sustainable growth and ensuring healthcare professionals see My 1Health as a valuable tool, not just another platform,” he says.
Getting to this point has not, of course, come without its own set of challenges.
“My 1Health has navigated numerous challenges, including language barriers and market competition,” says Mwangi, adding that the company’s focus on technology and facilitation services has helped it address these challenges head-on.
Going forward, My 1Health plans to expand its global footprint to even more markets.
“My 1Health is committed to global expansion, with plans to extend to the Middle East and South Asia this year,” says Mwangi. “We’re excited about bringing our platform to new markets, and we aim to be the global leader in medical facilitation services through technology, patient-centricity, and strategic partnerships.”
Despite the very clear challenges faced by African healthcare, it has also been home to many pioneering medical innovations and procedures, such as the first heart transplant, middle ear transplant, and the world’s first successful intraocular lens implantation for cataract surgery. It’s also where critical technologies like the CT Scan were developed.
Could My 1Health build on that spirit of innovation to help ensure that anyone can access the healthcare they need, no matter where they are in the world? Given what it’s achieved so far, you’d be hard-pressed to bet against it, at least playing an important part in that revolution.
Health
Medical Negligence in Nigeria: A Critical Examination of the Legal Remedies Available to Patients
By Ewajesu Akinola
Medical negligence refers to a situation in which a healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm or injury to a patient. It is the failure of a medical practitioner to exercise the degree of care and skill that a physician or surgeon of the same medical specialty would employ under similar circumstances. In Nigeria, medical negligence is a significant issue affecting patient safety, with legal mechanisms in place to address and remedy such violations. However, challenges in both the legal system and the healthcare sector often make it difficult for patients to access justice. This article critically examines medical negligence in Nigeria and the legal remedies available to affected patients.
The Concept of Medical Negligence in Nigeria
Medical negligence is a form of tort—a civil wrong that causes harm or injury to a patient. Such harm can result from errors in diagnosis, treatment, surgical procedures, medication, or patient management. The foundation for establishing a claim of medical negligence is rooted in the principles established in the landmark case of Donoghue v. Stevenson, which include the duty of care, breach of that duty, and causation. To succeed in a claim of medical negligence, the patient must prove that:
- The healthcare provider owed a duty of care to the patient.
- The healthcare provider breached that duty.
- The breach of duty caused harm or injury to the patient.
This principle was applied in the landmark Nigerian case of Okeke v. Hope Medical Centre, where the court held that a healthcare provider owes a duty of care to the patient and that a breach of this duty may result in liability for damages.
Legal Framework Governing Medical Negligence in Nigeria
The legal framework for addressing medical negligence in Nigeria is derived from both statutory provisions and common law principles. Key statutes include:
- The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)
- The Medical and Dental Practitioners Act (2004)
- The National Health Act (2014)
Legal Remedies Available to Patients
- Damages:
The primary legal remedy available to patients is to file a civil lawsuit for damages. This may include compensation for:- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income or earning capacity
- Psychological trauma
- Criminal Prosecution:
In cases involving gross negligence or recklessness, criminal charges may also be brought. Under Nigerian law, where negligence results in significant harm or death, charges such as manslaughter or reckless endangerment may be pursued, potentially leading to imprisonment or fines. - Disciplinary Action by Professional Bodies:
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has the authority to investigate allegations of medical negligence and impose disciplinary measures. Sanctions may include suspension, revocation of a medical license, or other professional penalties. - Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR):
ADR mechanisms, such as mediation or arbitration, are increasingly being adopted in Nigeria as efficient means of resolving disputes outside the formal court system. ADR can offer quicker resolution and reduce the time and cost associated with litigation. Some healthcare institutions also operate internal grievance redress systems.
Conclusion
Medical negligence remains a pressing concern in Nigeria, with many patients struggling to obtain justice when harmed. Although the legal system has seen improvements, significant gaps persist in protecting patients and holding healthcare professionals accountable. To establish a case of negligence, it must be proven that the healthcare provider owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused injury as a result. However, legal doctrines such as res ipsa loquiturwhere the burden shifts to the doctor to prove they were not at faultcan support claims even when direct evidence is limited. A more robust and accessible legal and healthcare system is needed to both prevent negligence and ensure justice for affected patients.
EwajesuAkinola is a legal professional at Olives and Candles – Legal Practitioners and she can be contacted via [email protected] or [email protected]
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The chairman of Rite Foods Limited, Mr Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa, has been commended for donating an ultra-modern Trauma Centre to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu, Ogun State.
The facility, donated to mark his 80th birthday, is a one-stop trauma centre with all the medical equipment and healthcare personnel to handle about 2,000 trauma cases in a month, from the severe to the minor ones.
Speaking at the commissioning of the 50-bedded facility, named Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Trauma Centre, by the Vice President of Nigeria, Mr Kashim Shettima, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, it was stated that the centre would enhance healthcare delivery for accident victims and other trauma-related cases within Ogun and neighbouring states.
Mr Shettima noted that the provision of the healthcare facility was timely, as it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for upgrading the health institutions in the country.
He described the life of the donor as well lived, with significant impact in the society and immediate community, creating employment for the indigenes of Ogun State, through valuable business enterprises, like Rite Foods Limited and Ess-ay Holdings Limited, which has contributed to the growth of the state’s and national economy.
According to the VP, Mr Adegunwa has inscribed his name in gold, adding that the octogenarian believes in leaving legacies that lives for generation and this has prompted the trauma centre which will impact lives tremendously.
On his part, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State applauded the philanthropic initiative of Mr Adegunwa, saying he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the healthcare system of Ogun State, and that the trauma centre marks a significant milestone towards attaining that.
In her remark, the Chief Medical Director of OOUTH, Dr Oluwabunmi Fatungase, said the 50 bedded centre has been the desire of the management of the hospital, as the old 20 bedded accident and emergency centre is too small to accommodate accident victims within the state, which serves as a route for travellers traversing the different regions of the country, with a 41.5 percent accident rate.
She said it is a dream of over 20 years by various administrations come true as there is no General Hospital from Lagos to Benin and Ibadan to take care of accident victims, thereby making the trauma centre a well thought out project by Asiwaju Adegunwa.
On his part, Mr Adegunwa said, “Today, l am filled with immense joy as l reflect on Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Trauma Centre as another fulfilment of opportunity to serve a higher calling to give and serve.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A partnership to advance high-quality patient-centred healthcare in Nigeria has been entered into between Iwosan Investments Limited and Mayo Clinic Global Consulting.
The aim is to advise and support Iwosan in delivering world-class healthcare services that will positively impact both local and regional communities.
This includes the enhancement of Iwosan’s hospital network starting with Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals and the development and integration of the Lagos Medipark Hospital.
Mayo Clinic Global Consulting will to provide strategic advice on organizational objectives and clinical practice.
Under the consulting contract, Iwosan will work with Mayo Clinic experts on several projects to advance high-quality, patient-centred healthcare in Nigeria.
Mayo Clinic is a global leader in serious and complex healthcare. Mayo Clinic Global Consulting is designed to share Mayo Clinic’s unique, comprehensive capabilities and knowledge.
The focus of this engagement is to help the Iwosan network improve administrative efficiencies and effectiveness and to enhance medical practice and patient care through the application of Mayo Clinic’s integrated clinical care and practice models.
“This marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare services to the people of Nigeria.
“With guidance from Mayo Clinic Global Consulting, we are confident in our ability to set new benchmarks in healthcare excellence in our region,” the chief executive of Iwosan Investments, Mrs Fola Laoye, stated.
Iwosan Investments is a healthcare investment company with an ongoing commitment to revolutionize healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
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