Refuse an emergency patient and risk six months in jail, under new Senate bill

Hospitals and health workers who delay treating emergency patients could face up to six months in prison or a fine of up to ₦300,000, under a bill now before the Senate.

The bill, which would amend the National Health Act 2014, is sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar'adua (Katsina Central). It passed second reading on a voice vote and has been sent to the Senate Committee on Tertiary and Primary Health for a public hearing.

Under the proposal, no hospital could turn away an emergency patient. Treatment would have to begin within 15 minutes of arrival, with basic stabilisation such as oxygen, drips and pain relief within 30 minutes. If a facility cannot admit the patient, it must start a referral within two hours and arrange transport within 30 minutes of deciding to refer.

Staff who can show they lacked the equipment or resources to comply would be protected, as long as they follow referral rules and report what happened.

Supporters say the law is long overdue. Several Nigerians, including journalist Bayo Ohu in 2009, are reported to have died after hospitals refused to treat them without a police report.