ABSTRACT: The healthcare system in Nigeria has recorded unimaginable and unsatisfactory performance in quality health care delivery. There is need to promote the awareness of medical negligence due to the fact that at some point in life, one has fallen victim of medical negligence, but as a result of ignorance it was swept under the carpet. Medical negligence is not synonymous with doctors only but extends to nurses, laboratory scientists, laboratory technicians and other paramedics and the health care institutions in general. This research therefore, examined the level of awareness of the legal remedies for medical negligence against healthcare practitioners and facilities in Plateau State, Nigeria; the extent to which the residents of Plateau State are aware and willing to prosecute legal actions for medical negligence where committed by health care practitioners and also investigate the factors which hinder persons from enforcing their rights through legal means. The survey research method was employed. A sample size of 384 respondents was drawn from the population of study using the Wimmer and Dominick on-line sample size calculator using a confidence level of 95% and precision level of 5%. Findings showed that most of the sampled respondents are not aware of the remedies available to patients in the event of medical negligence caused by healthcare practitioners and facilities. The study therefore recommended among others that, the government and other agencies in the private sector should be proactive in educating the populace on their rights to quality health care services and the availability of legal redress for medical negligence.
Keywords: Liability, Health Care Practitioners, Facilities, Medical Negligence