Senate Proposes Six-Month Jail Term, ₦300,000 Fine for Hospitals Rejecting Emergency Patients

Nigeria’s Senate is considering a bill that seeks to impose up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of ₦300,000, or both on hospitals and healthcare providers that violate proposed emergency medical treatment standards.

Sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, the proposed legislation seeks to amend the National Health Act, 2014, to establish clear timelines for emergency assessment, stabilisation and referral of patients.

Presenting the bill during plenary on Wednesday, November 4, Yar’Adua said the amendment was designed to address gaps in the country’s healthcare system and ensure that patients receive prompt, life-saving treatment regardless of their financial status, influence or location.

Under the proposal, public and private healthcare facilities licensed to provide emergency care would be required to begin triage and initial assessment within 15 minutes of a patient’s arrival. Where a licensed medical doctor is unavailable, a trained and certified nurse could conduct the initial assessment.

Hospitals would also be required to commence basic stabilisation measures, including oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, pain relief and preliminary diagnostic procedures, within 30 minutes of arrival.

The bill further provides for immediate life-saving interventions, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway management and bleeding control, once a life-threatening condition is identified.

For patients requiring admission, hospitals would be expected to assign beds within two hours, subject to availability. Facilities without available beds would be required to stabilise patients and initiate referral arrangements within the stipulated timeframe.

The proposal also requires hospitals to begin ambulance dispatch or arrange alternative transportation within 30 minutes of deciding to refer a patient to another facility.

In addition, the bill proposes a standardised national emergency care curriculum to be developed jointly by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Healthcare workers involved in emergency services would be required to undergo training and certification at intervals not exceeding 18 months.

Supporting the proposal, Senate Whip Mohammed Monguno said stronger accountability could help reduce preventable deaths arising from road accidents, maternal emergencies and other critical medical conditions.

The proposed penalties would apply if the amendment is passed into law. The bill seeks to strengthen emergency care standards and improve accountability across Nigeria’s healthcare system.