The House of Representatives has proposed an amendment to the National Health Act, 2014, seeking to impose stricter penalties on hospitals and healthcare professionals who refuse, delay or obstruct emergency medical treatment.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Akin Rotimi Jnr, seeks to establish mandatory emergency response procedures, prescribe treatment timelines and strengthen accountability across public and private healthcare facilities.

Leading the debate on the bill, Rotimi said preventable deaths and medical complications continued to occur because of delays caused by administrative bottlenecks, demands for upfront payments, unavailable hospital beds and poorly coordinated referrals.

He noted that although the existing National Health Act prohibits healthcare providers from refusing emergency treatment, clearer operational standards and stronger enforcement mechanisms were necessary to ensure compliance.

Under the proposed amendment, hospitals would be required to commence patient assessment and triage within 15 minutes of arrival and basic stabilisation within 30 minutes.

It also provides that life-saving interventions must begin immediately once a life-threatening condition is identified, irrespective of administrative procedures.

The bill further proposes that trained and certified nurses be allowed to conduct initial patient assessments where medical doctors are unavailable, particularly in facilities facing personnel shortages.

On emergency admission and referrals, healthcare facilities would be required to assign beds to patients within two hours, where available.

Where no bed is available, hospitals would be expected to commence stabilisation and arrange referrals within the stipulated period.

The proposal also requires healthcare facilities to arrange transportation within 30 minutes of a referral decision and complete patient transfers within three hours, except where circumstances beyond their control prevent compliance.

Under the proposed sanctions, hospitals found guilty of refusing, delaying or obstructing emergency treatment could face financial penalties, suspension of operating licences and possible closure or withdrawal of licences for subsequent violations.

Healthcare professionals who wilfully refuse or abandon emergency patients could also face criminal sanctions and professional disciplinary proceedings.

However, the legislation recognises genuine resource limitations and seeks to protect healthcare workers who act in good faith, properly document such constraints and comply with established referral procedures.

It also proposes that patients or their representatives could seek compensation through civil proceedings where injury, disability or death results from violations of the emergency treatment provisions.

Rotimi said the proposed amendment was intended to ensure that Nigerians received timely medical attention regardless of their financial circumstances or social status.

He added that the legislation would strengthen public confidence in the healthcare system by establishing clearer responsibilities and minimum standards for emergency response.

The bill also proposes mandatory emergency care training and certification for healthcare workers, with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria expected to develop a standardised national curriculum.

Healthcare personnel involved in emergency services would be required to undergo training and certification at intervals not exceeding 18 months.

Rotimi urged lawmakers to support the legislation, stressing that no Nigerian should have to negotiate for medical attention during a life-threatening emergency.

The proposed amendment seeks to strengthen Section 20 of the National Health Act, 2014, which already prohibits healthcare providers, workers and establishments from refusing emergency medical treatment.

The existing provision prescribes a fine of ₦100,000, imprisonment for up to six months or both for anyone convicted of violating the requirement.

The proposed changes would introduce more specific treatment timelines, additional regulatory measures and stronger sanctions to improve emergency healthcare delivery across the country.