Getting the right diagnosis is an essential aspect of healthcare, as it provides an explanation of a patient’s health problem and informs subsequent medical decisions. Diagnosis involves identifying the nature of an ailment by examining symptoms and distinguishing it from other possible conditions. This process includes taking medical history, performing physical examinations, obtaining diagnostic tests, and analyzing the data to determine the cause of an illness.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), diagnostics encompass medical devices, techniques, and procedures used for in vitro and in vivo assessments of physiological status or disease characteristics. In vitro diagnostics include laboratory tests such as blood and urine analysis, while in vivo diagnostics cover imaging tests like chest radiography, mammography, and pelvic ultrasound. Other diagnostic tools include thermometers, electrocardiograms, pulse oximeters, endoscopes, and blood pressure measurement devices.
However, misdiagnosis—the incorrect identification of a condition—can occur, leading to severe consequences for patients and healthcare providers. Health practitioners have raised concerns over the causes of misdiagnosis, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach to address the issue.
Dr. Caleb Yakubu, a Consultant Radiologist, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that multiple factors contribute to medical misdiagnosis, which can be detrimental to patients’ health. Yakubu, who is also the coordinator of the One-Stop Breast Clinic at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), cited faulty or substandard equipment as a major cause of misdiagnosis.
He warned that some laboratory personnel, in pursuit of profit, compromise the quality of diagnostic procedures by using fake and substandard equipment.
“Such medical investigations might end up in misdiagnosis,” he said.
Yakubu further noted that many private and public health facilities struggle to replace obsolete equipment, which increases the risk of diagnostic errors. Additionally, some laboratory personnel lack the requisite expertise to conduct specific tests accurately.
“Sometimes, diagnostic kits and chemicals may be counterfeit. Due to selfish profiteering, some medical personnel use substandard equipment, leading to misdiagnosis or medical errors,” he added.
He explained that poor-quality diagnostic kits could result in false-negative pregnancy tests or incorrect malaria diagnoses. Some fake kits may even yield false-positive readings.
To address these challenges, Yakubu emphasised the need for stricter regulations on the importation of diagnostic kits to ensure that only certified and standardized products enter the country. He also stressed the importance of continuous training and capacity-building for medical and laboratory personnel to enhance their competence.
Dr. Albert Eze highlighted the adverse effects of misdiagnosis on patients’ mental and physical well-being. He explained that incorrect diagnoses could lead to unnecessary treatments, surgeries, or therapies, potentially causing additional health complications or even death.
“In some cases, patients take medications that are not needed, resulting in new health conditions or severe side effects,” he said.
Dr. Maymunnah Kadiri, a Mental Health Physician, added that misdiagnosis could cause psychological distress, leading to high blood pressure, stroke, or heart attack if not properly managed.
“In addition to physical harm, misdiagnosis imposes a significant financial burden on patients and their families,” said Kadiri, who is also a Consultant Neuro-Psychiatrist.
Dr. Livinus Abonyi, a Medical Imaging Scientist and Head of the Radiography Department, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos**, stressed the need for increased funding of healthcare facilities and the full implementation of a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Abonyi identified poor investigation quality—due to outdated equipment, inadequate funding, and inexperienced personnel—as a major factor contributing to misdiagnosis. He explained that many patients struggle to afford essential diagnostic tests, necessitating government intervention to subsidize medical expenses.
“There is an existing law mandating corporate organizations to contribute to healthcare funding in Nigeria, but its implementation stands at barely 10 per cent,” he lamented.
He called for full enforcement of the Act, ensuring that citizens can access necessary diagnostic tests and medical treatments at little or no cost.
“It is not every time that everyone falls sick. The resources generated through health insurance will be sufficient to care for those who do, just like in developed countries that prioritize citizens’ welfare,” he said.
Abonyi further revealed that over 75 per cent of medical expenses in Nigeria are paid out-of-pocket, a situation that should be reversed.
“The health insurance scheme should cover nearly 80 per cent of diagnostic and treatment costs, while individuals contribute a smaller percentage. This will ensure an average Nigerian has access to healthcare,” he added.
Mr. Olamide Fadipe, a Laboratory Scientist and former Chairman of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Lagos State Branch, advised patients to provide accurate health information to improve diagnostic accuracy.
He identified misdiagnosis-related consequences such as wasted resources, increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, financial strain, and psychological distress for both patients and their families.
Fadipe urged laboratory personnel to uphold ethical standards and prioritize patients’ well-being above financial gain.
Experts agreed that the impact of misdiagnosis extends beyond initial errors, affecting patients’ physical, emotional, and financial well-being They called for the implementation and monitoring of strategies to enhance diagnostic accuracy, thereby preventing avoidable illnesses and deaths.
NAN
