AN APPRAISAL OF THE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

With modern advances in the technological space, the 21st-century world has embraced technological growth in humans' daily involvement. These modern advances span through Healthcare Technologies, particularly the Introduction of robotics in our healthcare and medical system. This research critically examined the deployment of technologies in the healthcare system, particularly health robotics, focusing on its impact on patients' safety and further explored the legal consequences of these Healthcare Technologies. However, this involves the improvement of patient care, Patient diagnosis and treatment, and long-range healthcare management. Furthermore, the need to checkmate the Safety of patients arises, following its legal consequences and addressing the risks that might be incurred in the deployment and of these technologies in the healthcare and medical practice. This research adopted the doctrinal approach; the research examined the comparison of Healthcare Technologies and the use of robotics in the medical practice. This study further provided insights into legal approaches and existing laws. Healthcare Technologies have greater potential to enhance patient safety and improve the healthcare system of patients, and laid impacts by reducing human errors, enhancing medical surgery precision, and ensuring easy and prompt attendance and discharge of medical patients. However, the research observed risks attached to these laid down impacts, which ranges from, system malfunction, software bugs, poor training of healthcare robotics to perform tasks effectively, poor medical Infrastructures, lack of standardization and insufficient knowledge on the use of healthcare technologies, which might jeopardize the patient's safety and life. The key legal issues identified are informed consent, legal liability on whom it lies, and lack of proper Legislation, and its resulting consequences in relation to patients' safety. In light of these challenges, the study recommended the enactment of a comprehensive legal framework, establishment of regulatory agencies, enhanced liability framework, public education and awareness, enhanced training of medical professional on the use of healthcare technologies and recognition of patients right as a distinctive right.