Ethical Healthcare Policies in Ladipo Akinkugbe’s Footprints and Footnotes

Abstract

Footprints and Footnotes chronicles the life experiences of Ladipo Akinkugbe, an Emeritus Professor of Medicine, highlighting his dual contributions to medicine and education. This study examines the ethical and humanistic dimensions of medical practice through a literary lens, using non-fictional narratives grounded in personal experience and historical context. This research identifies the inadequate diffusion of medical resources and health policies as contributing to public unawareness of the impact of medical errors. It critiques the perception of medical caregiving as a favour rather than a duty, leading to systemic issues and medical errors affecting lives. This study advocates for a society that fosters healthy living and ethical policies as a fundamental right. Acknowledging the core principles of healthcare ethics, the research adopts Bankowski's Medical Ethics and Lejeune’s Autobiographical Pact as a theoretical framework on the literariness of the autobiography and the physician's moral responsibilities, encompassing advocacy, technical expertise, citizenship, moral agency, and policy implementation. Overall, the study highlights the intersection of literature and medicine in advocating for holistic healthcare ethics and policies that promote societal well-being.