Analysis of the Representation of Medical Scenes in Selected Nigerian Hausa Video Films

Abstract

The study investigates how medical scenes are constructed and represented in selected Hausa home videos. In achieving this, the study adopts mixed method: textual analysis and analyses four purposively selected Hausa video films Kwana Casa‘in Episode 1, Dr Sadeeq, Islaha 1&2, and Halitacce that depict medical scenes; and survey respondents from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). The study uses media representation and perception theories as basis for understanding the representation of the medical scenes as well as the perception of the medical practitioners. Findings reveal that there are flaws in the construction of medical scenes especially in revealing the nature of illness and condition of patients as well as handling medical equipment by the characters acting as medical health workers. On the basis of the flaws identified, the study recommends that medical personnel across the various professions in the field (such as nursing and midwives, radiography, laboratory science, medicine and pharmacy etc.) should be given more room to participate whenever their reality is going to be represented, so that they can give more insight into how the projection will reflect reality.