Nigerians prioritize patient safety but gaps remain
- NOIPolls
- Sep 18
- 12 min read
Updated: Sep 24
Abuja, Nigeria. September 17th 2025 – In commemoration of World Patient Safety Day, NOIPolls conducted a nationwide poll which highlights the paramount importance of patient safety in healthcare, with an overwhelming 97 percent of respondents identifying it as a critical priority. This widespread consensus establishes a strong public mandate for robust patient safety initiatives. However, this also reveals a concerning disconnect between public expectations and the reality of healthcare experiences, highlighting significant gaps in patient safety, communication effectiveness, and public trust that warrant immediate attention.
This reveals a troubling prevalence of perceptions of medical errors, with 43 percent of respondents nationwide reporting personal or witnessed experiences with medical errors or near-miss incidents. This finding aligns with research from Nigerian healthcare settings, where medical errors represent a significant challenge. A study from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital indicated that 64.5% of respondents reported annoyance and disappointment with medical errors, with almost half (46.8%) reporting that errors had been made in their care in the past[1]. Another report indicates that 27.9% of patient fatalities in Nigerian hospitals are due to medical errors, with 43.8% of these errors being preventable[2]. A national survey of 2,386 early-career doctors in Nigeria reported a 16.5% prevalence of medical errors[3], while another study found that 75% of prescriptions in a Nigerian tertiary hospital contained some form of error[4]. Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that one in every ten patients is harmed in healthcare settings, leading to over three million deaths annually from unsafe care[5]. These statistics underscore the urgent need for systemic improvements to reduce the incidence of preventable harm in Nigerian healthcare systems.
Furthermore, effective communication between healthcare providers and patients is a cornerstone of safe, high-quality care, yet the poll indicates that this is a significant area of weakness. Only half of the respondents (50 percent) rated communication with their healthcare providers as “good” (28 percent) or “very good,” (22 percent) with 24 percent expressing dissatisfaction. This communication deficit has profound implications for patient outcomes. Research consistently demonstrates that effective communication, both verbal and non-verbal, is strongly associated with improved patient satisfaction, better adherence to treatment, and enhanced mental and physical health outcomes[6]. For instance, a 2023 systematic review found that communication characterised by receptivity and trust was linked to significant improvements in patients' health at four weeks[7]. Conversely, poor communication is a major contributor to medical errors and adverse events[8].
Additionally, the poll presents a mixed but generally positive view of public trust in healthcare organizations, with 73 percent of respondents believing that these organizations prioritize patient safety. However, this trust is not uniform and varies significantly across regions. Moreover, broader trends indicate a potential erosion of public trust in healthcare. For example, a 2024 JAMA Network Open study revealed a substantial decline in trust in physicians and hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, from 71.5% in April 2020 to 40.1% in January 2024[9]. Building and maintaining public trust is a complex endeavour, influenced by factors such as the design of the healthcare system, public scandals, and the handling of personal data[10]. To foster trust, healthcare organizations must prioritize competence, caring, and transparent communication[11].
The poll identifies medication safety, staffing levels, and timely care as the most critical areas for improvement. These priorities are consistent with the broader research on patient safety. Addressing these key areas requires a multi-faceted approach that includes implementing evidence-based safety protocols, fostering a culture of safety, and promoting open communication and transparency. By focusing on these critical areas, healthcare organizations can begin to bridge the gap between public expectations and the reality of patient care, ultimately creating a safer and more trustworthy healthcare system for all. These are some of the key findings from the Patient Safety Poll conducted in the week commencing September 15th, 2025.
Background
Patient safety is a fundamental principle of healthcare, yet preventable harm to patients remains a significant global challenge. In recognition of this, the World Health Organization (WHO) established World Patient Safety Day, observed annually on September 17th[12]. This day serves as a global platform to raise awareness, promote engagement, and foster solidarity among patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers to improve patient safety and reduce patient harm. The establishment of this day, through the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution WHA 72.6[13], highlights the international commitment to prioritising patient safety as an integral component of universal health coverage[14]. Each year, a specific theme is chosen to highlight a priority area, such as this year's focus on "Safe care for every newborn and every child"[15], which calls for concerted action to ensure that every child has the right to safe and quality care from the moment of birth.
In Nigeria, the patient safety landscape is marked by significant challenges that mirror and often exceed those seen in other developing nations. The healthcare system grapples with issues such as underfunding, with only about 3% of the nation's GDP invested in the health sector, a figure considerably below the average of OECD countries[16]. This financial constraint contributes to a cascade of problems, including inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of essential medical supplies, and a lack of modern diagnostic equipment. Consequently, medical errors are a major concern, with studies indicating a high prevalence of medication prescription errors[17] and misdiagnoses[18]. The absence of robust error reporting systems in many healthcare facilities further exacerbates the problem, as it hinders learning from mistakes and implementing corrective measures[19]. These systemic issues contribute to a healthcare environment where patient safety is often compromised, leading to preventable harm and a decline in public trust in the healthcare system.
The provided survey questions delve into the core components of patient safety, reflecting the pressing concerns within the Nigerian healthcare context. The inquiry into the perceived importance of patient safety aims to gauge public awareness and expectations, which are crucial for driving accountability and demanding higher standards of care. The question on error reporting directly addresses a critical weakness in the system, where a culture of blame and fear of litigation often suppresses the reporting of medical errors and near-misses. Effective communication between healthcare providers and patients, another area of investigation in the survey, is a cornerstone of safe care, as it can prevent misunderstandings, improve adherence to treatment, and empower patients to participate in their own care. Furthermore, the survey's focus on whether healthcare organizations prioritize patient safety in their policies and practices seeks to understand the extent to which a 'safety culture' is embedded within these institutions, a factor that is widely recognized as a key determinant of patient safety outcomes.
Finally, the survey's emphasis on newborn and child safety, as well as trust in public health facilities, highlights a particularly vulnerable patient population and a critical aspect of healthcare delivery. The safety of health facilities for newborns and children is a matter of urgent concern, as they are more susceptible to infections and other forms of harm. The question of trust is equally vital, as a lack of confidence in public health facilities can lead to delayed or avoided care, with potentially devastating consequences. The final survey question, which asks for the most critical area for improvement, provides an opportunity for respondents to voice their priorities, whether it be medication safety, infection control, or better staffing. The responses to these questions will provide invaluable insights into the specific areas where interventions are most needed to build a safer and more trustworthy healthcare system for all Nigerians, especially its youngest and most vulnerable citizens. Against this backdrop, NOIPolls conducted a poll to gauge perception of Nigerians regarding Patient’s Safety and hereby presents its findings.
Survey Findings
The first question sought the opinions of adult Nigerians on the importance of patient safety in healthcare settings. The poll result reveals a strong consensus on the importance of patient safety, with a nationwide average of 77 percent of respondents rating it as “very important” and 20 percent as “important”. Only a slight (1 percent) of respondents rated it as “not important”. This sentiment is consistent across gender, geo-political zones, and age groups with 77 percent of males and 78 percent of female respondents rating patient safety as “very important”. The North East (80 percent) and North West (79 percent) zones account for the region with the highest proportion of respondents who believe patient safety is “very important". Respondents within the age group 61+ accounted the highest regarding patient safety as very important at 83 percent.
A significant portion of the population, 43 percent nationwide, reported to have experienced or witnessed a medical error or near-miss incident. This finding highlights a critical area of concern for the healthcare sector. Citizens experience of medical errors varies across demography. For instance, more males (46 percent) than females (39 percent) reported such experiences. The South South region has the highest reported experience at (53 percent), while the South West has the lowest at (35 percent). Among age groups, the 36-60 demographic reported the highest incidence at 46 percent.
Communication between healthcare providers and patients is a crucial aspect of patient safety. The poll results indicate a significant need for improvement in this area. Nationwide, (22 percent) of respondents rated the effectiveness of communication between healthcare providers and patients as “Very good” and “Good” (28 percent). However, 25 percent rated it as “Average”, and 12 percent rated “poor” or “very poor” respectively. The perception of communication effectiveness varies across regions with the North East having the highest percentage of respondents rating communication as “good” or “very good” (60 percent), while the South South has the lowest (34 percent).
Subsequently, a majority of the public (73 percent) believe that healthcare organizations prioritize patient safety in their policies and practices. This indicates a degree of public trust in the healthcare system’s commitment to safety. However, 21 percent of respondents disagree while (6 percent) are unsure. The belief organizations prioritize patient safety is slightly higher among male respondents (74 percent) than females (72 percent). Across geo political zones, the North East (84 percent) and North West (83 percent) show the highest confidence, while the South South (64 percent) and the South East (63 percent) have the lowest.
When asked to rate the safety of health facilities in their area for newborns and children, nationwide respondents 30 percent rated them as “very safe” and 38 percent as “safe” indicating a 68 percent positive rating. While 13 percent rated the safety of health facilities for newborns and children as “neutral”, 10 percent rated it as “not safe”, and 5 percent as “not safe at all”. Indicating that while a majority feel safe, a minority have concerns. The perception of safety varies across regions. For instance, the North West has the highest percentage of respondents who feel “very safe” (45 percent), while the South South has the lowest (14 percent).
Furthermore, a high level of trust is placed in public health facilities for the care of newborns and children, with 78 percent of respondents answering “yes” affirming they trust public health facilities to provide safe care for newborns and children. A positive indicator of public confidence in pediatric and neonatal care provided by public health facilities. The trust level is slightly higher among females (80 percent) compared to male respondents (76 percent). Regionally, the North East and North West have the highest level of trust at (86 percent) respectively, while the South East has the lowest at (64 percent).
Additionally, the poll identified critical areas for improvement in patient safety. The most frequently cited area is medication safety (19 percent), followed by better staffing (18 percent). Other areas citizens consider critical in improving patient safety including newborns and children are; timely care (9 percent), enhanced monitoring (8 percent), and supply of better equipment for diagnosis (7 percent). These findings provide clear guidance for healthcare providers and policymakers on where to focus their improvement efforts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the comprehensive analysis of public perception on patient safety reveals a complex landscape of high expectations, concerning experiences, and clear priorities for improvement. The poll findings demonstrate that while there is universal recognition of patient safety’s importance, with 97 percent of respondents rating it as important or very important, the healthcare system faces significant challenges in meeting these expectations. The disconnect between the public’s high regard for patient safety and their actual experiences is particularly evident in the substantial 43 percent of respondents who have encountered medical errors or near-miss incidents. This gap suggests that despite widespread awareness and stated organizational commitments to patient safety, implementation and execution remain inconsistent across the healthcare settings.
The regional variations observed throughout the poll findings point to systemic disparities in healthcare quality and safety standards across different geo-political zones. The North East and North West regions consistently demonstrate higher levels of satisfaction and trust, while the South East and South South regions show more concerning patterns, including higher rates of medical errors and lower confidence in healthcare organizations. These disparities suggest that patient safety initiatives may need to be tailored to address specific regional challenges and resource constraints. The variation in communication effectiveness ratings, ranging from 60 percent positive ratings in the North East to only 34 percent in the South South, indicating standardized communication protocols and training programs could significantly improve patient experiences nationwide.
The identification of medication safety (19 percent) and better staffing (18 percent) as the top priorities for improvement provides actionable intelligence for healthcare policymakers and administrators. These findings align with global patient safety research, which consistently identifies medication errors and staffing shortages as primary contributors to adverse events. The emphasis on timely care (9 percent) and enhanced monitoring (8 percent) further reinforces the need for systematic improvements in healthcare delivery processes. The relatively high trust in public health facilities for newborn and child care (78 percent) suggests that specialized pediatrics and neonatal services may serve as models for broader healthcare improvement initiatives.
The poll results emphasize the critical need for a multi-faceted approach to patient safety improvement that addresses both systemic issues and regional disparities. Healthcare organizations must prioritize medication safety protocols, address staffing challenges, and implement comprehensive communication training programs to bridge the gap between public expectations and actual experiences. The strong foundation of public awareness and concern for patient safety provides an opportunity for meaningful engagement and collaboration between healthcare providers and communities. Moving forward, regular monitoring of public perception, coupled with targeted interventions in the identified priority areas, will be essential for building a healthcare system that truly meets the safety expectations of the population it serves. Finally, the findings of this poll should serve as a baseline for measuring progress and ensuring that patient safety improvements are both meaningful and sustainable.
Survey Methods
The opinion poll was conducted in the week commencing September 15th, 2025. It involved telephone interviews of a proportionate nationwide sample of 1,000 randomly selected phone-owning Nigerians aged 18 years and above, representing the six geo-political regions and 36 states and the FCT of the country. Interviews were conducted in 5 languages – Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Pidgin English, and English. Although we can say with 95% confidence that the results obtained were statistically precise – within a margin of error of plus or minus 4.65%; we recognize that the exclusive use of telephone polling has its limitation of excluding non-phone-owning Nigerians. Nonetheless, with the country’s tele density put over 100 per cent by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), we consider our telephone polling approach appropriate. Also, given the rigorous scientific process of randomization and stratification applied, we can confidently stand by the validity of our methodology and approach. NOIPolls Limited, No. 1 for country-specific polling services in West Africa. We conduct periodic opinion polls and studies on various socio-economic and political issues in Nigeria. More information is available at www.noi-polls.com.
Disclaimer
This press release has been produced by NOIPolls Limited to provide information on all issues which form the subject matter of the document. Kindly note that while we are willing to share results from our polls with the public, we only request that NOIPolls be acknowledged as authors whenever and wherever our poll results are used, cited, or published. NOIPolls hereby certifies that all the views expressed in this document accurately reflect the views of respondents surveyed for the poll, and background information is based on information from various sources that it believes are reliable; however, no representation is made that it is accurate or complete. Whilst reasonable care has been taken in preparing this document, no responsibility or liability is accepted for errors or facts, or any views expressed herein by NOIPolls for actions taken because of information provided in this report. Any ratings, forecasts, estimates, opinions, or views herein constitute a judgment as of the date of this document. If the date of this document is not current, the views and content may not reflect NOIPolls' current findings and/or thinking.
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[2] https://greengoldattorneys.com/2024/11/04/patient-fatality-in-nigeria-legal-and-ethical-considerations/
[15] https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2025/09/17/default-calendar/worldpatient-safety-day--17-september-2025--patient-safety-from-the-start
