A Nigerian nurse has reportedly lost her care job in the United Kingdom after she was found praying for an old ailing patient.
Popular online medical doctor and influencer, Harvey Olufunmilayo, known as @drolufunmilayo, on Twitter (X) shared the story on Thursday to warn Nigerian doctors moving to the UK.
He said the health worker was further deported because what she did was unethical for health workers in the UK as they are not supposed to bring religion to their work.
He added that it is not customary for nurses to pray for patients, but they can recommend a cleric if the person needs one.
Olufunmilayo wrote; I just read the sad story of a Nigerian who came to uk employed by an agency to work as a carer for eldrly people.
She was assigned to care for an eldrly patient who was dying and she was reported for “praying for the client to get better”. Yeah. She got sacked and deported.
As a health worker/carer in uk, it is unethical to involve religion or impose your religious views on patients/clients.
It’s seen as abuse of trust and misuse of your position. You are expected to simply do your job and focus on your job.
Even IF the patient/client were to bring up a religious conversation, you should refer them to speak with a pastor, chaplain, imaam, cleric or any religious figure.
As a health worker; You should not be engaging in religious activities with a patient/client.
If you get reported to the appropriate authorities, you can lose your job. Many times, this also means you lose your sponsorship and visa to remain in the country.
Remember your visa to stay in the country as a worker is tied to your employment. If you lose your employment- you will lose your stay in the country.
Except of course you find another job and employer- but in these kind of circumstances surrounding the sack- you may struggle to find another employer.
This is why I’m using this avenue to help create some awareness regarding this situation- especially for any Nigeria attempting to come to uk or already in uk as a health worker or carer. Please leave your religion out of your professional work space. They will sack you here.
