The Federal Government has threatened to take legal action against hospital administrations that decline to treat patients who are hurried into their care during an emergency.
The warning was delivered on Sunday at the “Unlock Grants Award” ceremony in Abuja by Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs.
The story of Greatness Olorunfemi, who was the victim of a road traffic robbery known as “One Chance,” went viral in October 2023. It described how she was taken to Maitama Hospital in Abuja but was not given care, leading to her death.
A few years prior, two gunshot victims had a similar situation when they were turned away from a Lagos hospital, which ultimately resulted in their deaths.
The Federal Ministry of Health was tasked earlier this year by the House of Representatives with taking strong action against hospitals and healthcare facilities that refused to treat accident or gunshot victims without a police complaint due to the mounting concerns.
Kennedy-Ohanenye, however, declared that the FG would no longer stand by and that hospitals would now be required to post signs outside their doors that read, “No more rejection of emergency patients.”
In addition, the minister disclosed that a mobile court has been established to begin hearing cases of this nature.
She said, “Our hospitals will also put a sign of ‘No more rejection of emergency patients.’ These are some of the major issues we have in this country. I am in touch with Maitama Hospital. But now, I have a mobile court for any hospital that does that. I use this opportunity to call on all Nigerians to be vigilant.
“Let me also say that I am proud of Nigerians. I love the way they are using social media to tackle issues. But focus and continue to tackle the main issues as you are doing. Keep it up. But this is the time for action.
“Let all of us buckle up to prevent emergency patients from being rejected. I am still going to keep calling on Nigerians. This fight is not for one person alone. It is for all of us.”
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