FCCPC gains ground in healthcare oversight after court victory

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has hailed a landmark ruling from the Abuja Federal High Court, bolstering its powers to probe patient complaints against medical providers.

In a statement released Tuesday, FCCPC noted, “The case for more accountability in medical practice in Nigeria has been strengthened with the ruling of Abuja Federal High Court affirming the powers of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate complaints by patients.”

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on April 15 in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1019/2021, filed by Life Bridge Medical Diagnostic Centre Ltd.

The centre argued FCCPC lacked jurisdiction over medical negligence claims without prior coordination with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

The court dismissed these claims, ruling the centre qualifies as a commercial “undertaking” under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018. Justice Nwite held: “Healthcare services fall within the category of services subject to consumer protection oversight under the Act,” distinguishing consumer rights to fair treatment and quality from professional discipline handled by bodies like MDCN.

FCCPC emphasised the win ensures oversight on “quality, fairness, standards, and treatment received by consumers of healthcare services.”