When Compassion Fades: My Thoughts on the Decline of Empathy in Healthcare

Lately, I’ve been deeply troubled by what seems to be a growing loss of empathy and compassion among healthcare professionals in our system. As a pharmacist and healthcare analyst, I see this every day — and recently, I experienced it firsthand in a way that left me emotionally broken.

I visited a hospital for a specialist consultation after struggling with persistent migraines. After paying ₦60,000 for the session, I expected at least to be listened to with care and understanding. Instead, I was dismissed and even mocked — told I was “imagining things.”

If I didn’t know better, I might have left that hospital depressed.

It got me thinking: what happened to empathy?
A patient walks into a hospital and gets battered — not by illness, but by words and attitude. It’s heartbreaking. Where is our humanity as caregivers?

As healthcare professionals — doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, everyone — we all took an oath to protect life. Our duty goes beyond prescribing drugs or conducting tests; it includes showing kindness, compassion, and understanding. Our words can heal or destroy. We must never forget that.

No one goes to the hospital for fun. Every patient sitting across from us is seeking help, comfort, and hope. When our frustrations or insensitivity become part of their pain, we fail in our calling as healers.

That’s why I’ve decided to take this conversation beyond words. My team and I are currently working on a health panel discussion titled:
“When Seeking Medical Help Becomes Another Source of Pain: Restoring Empathy and Humanity in Healthcare Practice.”

This upcoming event will bring together healthcare professionals from different sectors to explore how we can close the empathy gap in our system and restore compassion, respect, and patient-centered care.

Healthcare should heal, comfort, and restore hope — not cause more pain. My prayer is that we all begin to reflect on how our words and actions affect those who depend on us. Let’s make our patients feel heard, valued, and cared for.

May God help us — and may Nigeria heal.