Senate proposes jail term, 300k fine for hospitals that reject emergencies

The Nigerian Senate is considering a bill that seeks to impose up to six months imprisonment, a N300,000 fine, or both, on any hospital and healthcare provider that fails to respond to emergency treatment.

The bill which is being sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, seeks to ensure timely emergency care, proper training of healthcare workers, and improved patient referral procedures.

It proposes that public and private hospitals would be required to assess emergency patients within 15 minutes of arrival and begin initial stabilisation within 30 minutes.The bill also seeks to mandate immediate health interventions, including CPR, airway management, and bleeding control, once a life-threatening condition is identified.

Under the bill, hospitals are expected to provide admission beds within two hours, subject to availability. The bill also proposes that where hospital beds are unavailable, facilities must stabilise patients and begin referral arrangements within two hours or once they are considered fit for transfer. Ambulance dispatch or alternative transport must commence within 30 minutes.

The bill further states that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria are to establish a national emergency care curriculum, with healthcare workers undergoing training and certification at least once every 18 months.

The proposed law is aimed at curbing hospitals rejecting emergency patients over inability to pay or lack of police report, a common issue that has led to several avoidable deaths across the country.