The story of a Nigerian woman who came to the United Kingdom, secured a job caring for the elderly, and was subsequently terminated and deported after praying for the health of a dying patient was shared on social media by Dr. Olufunmilayo, a popular Twitter doctor.
"I just read the sad story of a Nigerian who came to the UK employed by an agency to work as a carer for elderly people. She was assigned to care for an elderly patient who was dying and she was reported for 'praying for the client to get better.' Yeah. She got sacked and deported," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Dr. Olufunmilayo asserted that in the UK, "it is unethical to involve religion or impose your religious views on patients and is seen as abuse of trust and misuse of your position."
He also urged Nigerians working as health workers or nurses to "leave your religion out of your professional workspace," or "they will sack you here."
"As a health worker, you should not be engaging in religious activities with a patient or client. If you get reported to the appropriate authorities, you can lose your job," Olufunmilayo tweeted.
Responses from the doctor's followers were divided, with some thanking the doctor for warning Nigerians and noting that the nurse was paid for her services as a caretaker and not for prayers.
"For me, it's too low to have a crime deserving of sack and deportation," one user wrote.
Others, however, criticized the hospital's decision, with one netizen tweeting, "So much for a country who claim to be the Christian one."
"When has it become a crime to do good," a user replied.
It's worth noting that the case of the Nigerian nurse is not unique to the UK. In 2016, Sarah Kuteh, a nurse with 15 years of experience, was fired from the National Health Service for discussing her faith with patients and occasionally reciting prayers.
Additionally, consultant pediatrician Dr. David Drew was dismissed from Walsall Manor Hospital for sending a prayer to his colleagues in the hope of motivating them.