“Doctors in Nigeria could not see it, but the London doctors could”

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Gani Fawehinmi, Nigeria’s fearless human rights icon, died not just from lung cancer—but from a broken healthcare system that failed to catch it. Misdiagnosed for months in Nigeria, his real condition was only discovered in London. His story exposes a nationwide crisis: outdated equipment, undertrained doctors, and deadly misdiagnoses. It’s a wake-up call—Nigerians aren’t dying from diseases, they’re dying from neglect, ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE unearths

It was a scorching hot Lagos, Nigeria, afternoon when the great human rights activist and lawyer Gani Fawehinmi suddenly had a severe attack of stomach pain. Worried about his health, he urgently reported to a nearby hospital, where he expected to receive the medical attention he so urgently required. Unaware of it, his visit to the hospital would not only unveil the appalling healthcare in Nigeria but also initiate a misdiagnosis that would lead to his early death.

In the final months of his life, renowned Nigerian human rights lawyer and activist, publicly shared the painful and sobering journey that led to his diagnosis with lung cancer—a diagnosis that came late, despite his vigilance over his health.

Fawehinmi had always taken his health seriously. In his own words, “There was no single year I did not conduct a thorough medical examination in this country and in England.” Despite regular checkups and being under the care of reputable physicians, the true nature of his illness remained undetected for months.

Initially, doctors in Nigeria attributed his symptoms to pre-existing conditions. “The physicians were diagnosing the wrong things,” he recalled. “They were thinking of my usual conditions—hypertension, my heart, and so on. They never thought that I might have lung cancer because I am a non-smoker and do not drink.”

In January 2007, shortly after delivering a lecture during the annual Fawehinmism event, Fawehinmi experienced debilitating pain. He called his doctor, who diagnosed him with ‘lobar pneumonia’ and administered heavy antibiotics. His condition did not improve.

By June 20, 2007, he noticed something troubling while swimming at the Sheraton Hotel. “If I swim for 30 feet,” he said, “I will be breathing seriously and painfully.”

Concerned by this worsening symptom, he sought further help at a hospital on Victoria Island. After several hours of examination, the doctors delivered an alarming message: his heart was under immense stress, and he was at risk of a ‘heart attack’ if he remained hospitalized overnight.

Fearing the worst, Fawehinmi reached out to his long-time friend and cardiologist, Dr. Mike Fadayomi, whom he had known since the age of four. Dr. Fadayomi instructed him to come immediately to his clinic at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos but requested an X-ray beforehand.

“Fadayomi cried out that my left lung is bad,” Gani recounted. “He cried out, ‘Something risky is wrong with your left lung… Gani, you must run to London. I do not understand this.'”

Taking the advice to heart, Gani quickly booked a flight and contacted his daughter in London. She secured an appointment at one of the UK’s top respiratory hospitals—referred to by him as “Royal Prompting for Lung,” likely a mispronunciation or pseudonym for a leading lung institute.

Upon arrival, he underwent a battery of sophisticated tests. “Machinery that I had never even laid eyes on was wheeled in,” he noted, astonished by the level of care.

The diagnosis was finally confirmed: his left lung was waterlogged and about to collapse due to a tumor. He underwent surgery on August 2, 2007, after which a pathologist’s report confirmed the presence of ‘lung cancer’.

What haunted Fawehinmi most was how such a serious illness went undetected for so long. “I had went to see my doctor in February 2007. He checked me, but nothing similar to cancer was found by him. So, I did not know what was developing then. Doctors in Nigeria could not see it, but the London doctors could.”

While the surgery may have prolonged his life, the effects of the treatment were harsh. Fawehinmi eventually lost his voice—a side effect of the powerful drugs administered. “It tanned my skin, and I lost my voice,” he said, visibly changed.

Even as he faced terminal illness, Gani Fawehinmi remained true to his character—transparent, principled, and courageous. By publicly recounting his experience, he exposed the systemic failures in Nigeria’s medical system, and the dangers of diagnostic assumptions based on lifestyle or history. This Nigerian human rights lawyer and activist who was always on the neck of the authorities, passed away on September 5, 2009; that’s exactly 16 years ago.

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Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is plagued by a poorly funded and inadequately equipped healthcare system. The ramifications of this reality are disastrous, as lives are lost in their thousands due to a lack of adequate medical facilities, poorly endowed hospitals, and the lack of basic medical equipment and amenities.

In the pages of Nigerian history, Gani Fawehinmi is a name synonymous with unflinching bravery, unshakable determination for justice, and a vociferous champion of human rights. Fawehinmi, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated human rights lawyers, made a lasting impact on the legal corridors of Nigeria, boldly defying the establishment and fighting the cause of the underdog. In the course of his tenacious fight for justice, he had to deal with a personal tragedy that would bring to the fore the imperative issue of misdiagnosis in Nigeria’s health sector.

Despite the heroic work of Nigerian and international medical doctors, the advanced stage of the illness was an insurmountable challenge. Nigeria and humanity lost a giant in the battle for human rights. Fawehinmi’s own personal experience is a poignant illustration of the disastrous consequences of these failures of the system.

Chief Gani Fawehinmi, better known as “Senior Advocate of the Masses,” the erroneous diagnosis of the health condition negatively impacted his treatment and, in the long run, his lifespan. The delay in accurate diagnosis lost valuable time for effective intervention and management. As a result, the treatment interventions utilized initially, aimed at hypertension and cardiac complications, became useless against the relentless growth of lung cancer.

Fawehinmi’s early signs of vomiting and abdominal pain had led the doctors to believe that they were handling a case of food poisoning. But as his condition worsened, it was evident that something more than that was involved. Despite his serious state of affairs, the hospital lacked the diagnosis equipment and trained staff required to effectively diagnose and treat Fawehinmi’s ailment. While precious time was wasted, his health deteriorated at a frightening pace, and it became increasingly clear that the hospital was not capable of providing the desperate treatment he needed.

The misdiagnosis and consequent absence of proper medical care ultimately led to the death of Gani Fawehinmi. His death shocked the country and the world, placing a harsh focus on the state of healthcare in Nigeria and the ruinous effect it has on the lives of Nigerians.

The Troubled State of Nigerian Hospitals:

Nigeria’s healthcare system is plagued by a myriad of issues that exacerbate its overall inefficacy in the provision of critical medical treatment to the population. Ranging from underfunding and availability of resources to rampant corruption and a shortage of qualified medical professionals, the barriers to obtaining quality medical treatment are staggering and deep.

In Nigeria, a country with a rich culture and resilient people, there is a disheartening reality in its health care. The confidence in Nigerian hospitals is lost with so many reports of misdiagnosis and medical negligence. It is a country where the health care system is plagued by corruption, incompetence, and insufficiency of facilities, exposing its citizens to misdiagnosis and neglect.

Nigerian hospital misdiagnosis tales number in the millions and are heartbreaking. From simple misreads of X-rays to fatal misdiagnoses, the impacts of these medical errors made permanent imprints on countless Nigerians’ lives.

One such tale is that of Mrs. Adekunle, a 45-year-old woman from Lagos, who visited a hospital for an ongoing stomachache. She had a number of tests done in a decent hospital and was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer and prescribed medication. Her condition continued to worsen, though, and she went for a second opinion at another hospital. That’s when she was informed that she had late-stage ovarian cancer, which had spread to other organs.

Similarly, Mr. Okon, a 55-year-old man from Port Harcourt, was also misdiagnosed with hypertension and put on medication. His symptoms did not abate, and he went outside the country for proper treatment. It was then that he discovered that he was actually diagnosed with an unusual heart condition that had to be operated on without delay. His delayed proper diagnosis had put his life at risk, and he went in for a complex surgery to salvage his life.

These are but a few of the countless instances of misdiagnosis in Nigerian hospitals. Poor training and experience on the part of medical professionals, and the lack of required medical equipment and facilities, have been some of the causes behind the trend. Patients are forced to go through a healthcare system that is plagued by incompetence and negligence and pay the ultimate cost in their lives in most instances.

The consequences of misdiagnosis in Nigerian hospitals are not just physical. There is also a tremendous emotional and psychological toll that comes with misdiagnosis. The majority of patients feel betrayed, indignant, and powerless as they try to come to terms with the fact that the same places that are meant to heal them have failed them.

The case of misdiagnosis is further aggravated by the prevalence of a high rate of medical negligence and unaccountability in Nigeria’s healthcare system. The majority of misdiagnosed patients do not have any mechanism to appeal, given that the legal framework for seeking justice against medical professionals is largely ineffective and replete with bureaucratic obstacles.

The misdiagnosis tales from hospitals in Nigeria are a dreary reminder of the need for an overhaul of the health system in the country. There is a demand for greater transparency and accountability in the health system. Patients have to have avenues for redress against medical negligence, and healthcare practitioners must be held to the highest ethical standards of practice and competence.

Looking back on the misdiagnosis tales from Nigerian hospitals, we cannot help but remember patients whose lives have been forever altered by these medical errors. These anecdotes are a call to action for actual change in the Nigerian health care system and a promise that each patient will receive the quality of care and accurate diagnosis they deserve.

Why Misdiagnosis?:

The enduring legacy of Chief Gani Fawehinmi as a human rights campaigner and justice crusader is still compelling, underlining the urgency of the need for advocacy and awareness towards driving better healthcare outcomes. His unfortunate misdiagnosis serves as a call to greater awareness and advocacy efforts aimed at driving real change within Nigeria’s healthcare system.

In Nigeria, the proliferation of substandard or low-quality diagnostic equipment in clinics, medical labs, and radiology departments has become one of the fundamental causes of misdiagnosis. The shortage of high-tech diagnostic tools hinders the ability of medical practitioners to conduct thorough and precise tests, thereby raising the risk of misdiagnosis.

The lack of access to high-quality diagnostic equipment is a pervasive issue in Nigeria, and it stems from various factors such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, and a lack of regulatory oversight. As a result, healthcare providers are often forced to rely on outdated and unreliable equipment, which compromises the accuracy and reliability of diagnostic tests.

One of the most critical areas affected by the proliferation of substandard diagnostic equipment is medical imaging. Radiology departments in many healthcare facilities across Nigeria are plagued by the scarcity of modern imaging tools such as MRI machines, CT scanners, and ultrasound devices. As a result, medical practitioners are unable to obtain detailed and accurate images of the internal structures of the body, which is essential for diagnosing various medical conditions.

The impact of substandard diagnostic equipment is also felt in medical laboratories, where inadequate testing tools and technologies contribute to unreliable test results. From blood tests to microbiological cultures, the lack of high-quality equipment compromises the precision and sensitivity of diagnostic tests, leading to potential misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

The consequences of misdiagnosis resulting from substandard diagnostic equipment are far-reaching. Patients may receive incorrect treatment or medication, which can exacerbate their condition and lead to further complications. In some cases, misdiagnosis can delay the initiation of appropriate treatment, allowing the underlying disease to progress unchecked. This can have grave implications for patients with serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, or infectious diseases.

The economic burden of misdiagnosis is also substantial. Patients may incur unnecessary medical expenses as a result of incorrect treatments and prolonged hospital stays.

The Troubled State of Nigerian Hospitals:

No doubt, Nigeria’s healthcare system is plagued by a myriad of issues that exacerbate its overall inefficacy in the provision of critical medical treatment to the population. Ranging from underfunding and availability of resources to rampant corruption and a shortage of qualified medical professionals, the barriers to obtaining quality medical treatment are staggering and deep.

Perhaps the most pressing issue is the chronic underfinancing of the public hospitals, which means that there is a severe lack of essential medical equipment and supplies. The majority of the hospitals cannot effectively deal with medical emergencies and lack basic facilities like functional diagnostic equipment, medicines, and even clean water. This shortage of requisite resources hinders the ability of medical practitioners to properly diagnose and treat their patients, to an extreme impact on those in need of prompt medical interventions.

The shortage of trained medical staff, including doctors, nurses, and specialists, is worsening the woes of Nigerian hospitals. The majority of the healthcare facilities are not staffed adequately, with the medical professionals overworked and undercompensated. The shortage of staff hinders the capacity of hospitals to provide timely and quality treatment, particularly in cases that require expert hands.

In addition to these systemic issues, mismanagement and corruption accentuate the inefficiency of the healthcare system in Nigeria. Diversion of funds aimed at delivering healthcare, embezzlement, and bribery have eroded public trust in the system and initiated a vicious cycle of inefficiency that hits the most vulnerable members of society hardest.

Fawehinmi’s Misdiagnosis and Tragic Outcome

Gani Fawehinmi’s case is symptomatic of the gravity of the outcome of the deficiency of the Nigerian healthcare system. The hospital’s inability to diagnose his sickness on time and in a proper manner when he presented himself to the hospital with the symptoms was the chain of events that would eventually lead to his untimely death.

The first symptoms of Fawehinmi’s ailment, including acute abdominal pain and vomiting, were a definite sign of a critical underlying medical condition. The failure of the hospital to conduct a thorough diagnosis and the lack of specialized medical facilities paralyzed them from determining the root cause of his deteriorating health. Therefore, his ailment went untreated and undiagnosed for a pivotal period of time, which led to the rapid decline of his health.

The Impact on the Nigerian Population

Nigerian hospitals extend far beyond individual cases like that of Gani Fawehinmi. Thousands of lives are lost each year through the systemic collapses of the health system, ruining families and communities with preventable tragedies.

For most Nigerians, the quest for quality healthcare is a foreboding dilemma replete with challenges. The deficiency of medical necessities along with the inadequacy of skilled health workers means individuals have few choices in getting the quality treatment they need. It is mostly the poorest and most vulnerable populations that face this reality, further aggregating the disparities in healthcare access.

In addition, the long-term consequences of inadequately supplied hospitals go beyond the number of deaths. Those who are treated in such hospitals are likely to suffer prolonged suffering, below-par care, and withholding of essential medicines and interventions. The economic and psychological toll on families who suffer the brunt of the inefficiency of a dysfunctional healthcare system is immeasurable, breeding a cycle of desperation and suffering.

The Need for Reform

Gani Fawehinmi’s misdiagnosis and death are a call to action for genuine reform in Nigeria’s health sector. The systematic shortcomings that led to his premature death must be addressed forthwith and with resolve to prevent further loss of lives and reduce the pain of countless others who need medical care.

At the center of this reform is the requirement to ensure that sufficient funds are given to public hospitals so that they can access the means and facilities to offer quality healthcare to all Nigerians. This involves investing in basic medical equipment, having proper stocks of medicines and treatments, and addressing the glaring void of health practitioners through selective hiring and training programs.

Curbing corruption and abuse of the healthcare sector is also critical towards rebuilding public confidence and making sure that the funds disbursed are spent on their initial intention. Transparency and accountability mechanisms should be established to ensure the integrity of healthcare resources and prevent diversion of funds away from medical priorities.

Healthcare infrastructure and access-strengthening measures must respond to the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations, closing disparities in location and making a full range of quality healthcareavailable to all Nigerians.

The legacy of Gani Fawehinmi serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive reform in Nigeria’s healthcare system. His untimely death underscores the devastating impact of ill-equipped hospitals and the profound human cost of a healthcare system that fails to meet the needs of its people

The misdiagnosis of him is heartwarming evidence of the widespread issue of misdiagnosis in Nigeria’s health sector. His case brings to the fore the problems and deficiencies that plague the country’s medical system, seriously questioning the quality of healthcare and the delivery of proper and timely medical assessment.

Although, those who know better have said that one of the fundamental causes of misdiagnosis in Nigeria is the proliferation of substandard or low-quality diagnostic equipment in clinics, medical labs, and radiology departments. The shortage of high-tech diagnostic tools hinders the ability of medical practitioners to conduct thorough and precise tests, thereby raising the risk of misdiagnosis.

The burden of overloaded workload on medical practitioners in the healthcare system of Nigeria is a direct causative factor of misdiagnosis. The heavy caseloads of medical practitioners can create stress, tiredness, and the possibility of errors, including misdiagnosis, and subsequently compromise the quality of patient care. Poor working conditions, including erratic power supply and the absence of infrastructure, also contribute to the sufferings of medical practitioners. Such external restraints impede smooth working in medical facilities and disrupt imparting accurate diagnoses, contributing to the prevalence of misdiagnosis in the healthcare system.

The absence of training and career development for healthcare professionals in Nigeria represents one of the greatest hindrances to proper diagnosis. Inadequate training and skill development may compromise the proficiency of medical practitioners, thus leading to inaccurate diagnoses and misdiagnosis of clinical signs.

Nigeria’s healthcare system is at a crossroads, necessitating end-to-end reform to address the problems of misdiagnosis. From the robustness of diagnostic infrastructure to decongesting healthcare professionals, overhauling the system is essential to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery and minimize the rate of misdiagnosis.

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The calamitous misdiagnosis of the illness of Chief Gani Fawehinmi is a clarion call for a sweeping and urgent reform of the Nigerian healthcare system. His case shows the necessity of accurate diagnosis in determining the right treatment and improving healthcare outcomes. It also reveals the structural problems that define the Nigerian health system, which calls for concerted efforts at reform and rejuvenation.

The misdiagnosis of Fawehinmi’s disease also helps to point out that his tragic end is a grim reminder of the cost in human agony for a healthcare system unable to provide even basic medicine to those in need. In remembrance of Gani Fawehinmi and all the others who have suffered due to the shortfalls of Nigerian hospitals, there is a call to action to make a difference. By identifying and addressing the systemic problems that plague the healthcare system and putting the welfare of all Nigerians at the forefront of everything they do, Nigerians can strive towards a future where access to good quality medical care is a birthright, not a distant mirage.

•Onwumere is Chairman, Advocacy Network On Religious And Cultural Coexistence (ANORACC)