We’ll Sanction Any Hospital That Rejects Emergency Patients – FG
The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern warning to the management of hospitals that refuse to attend to patients brought in during emergencies. The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, made this announcement at the ‘Unlock Grants Award’ ceremony held in Abuja on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
This is in the wake of several incidents where patients in critical condition were denied treatment. One such case that drew widespread outrage occurred in September 2023 when Greatness Olorunfemi, a victim of a road traffic robbery, died after being refused treatment at Maitama Hospital in Abuja.
A similar incident happened a few years ago when two gunshot victims were rejected at a Lagos hospital, leading to their deaths. These incidents sparked outraged prompting the House of Representatives earlier this year to urge the Federal Ministry of Health to take decisive action against healthcare facilities that refuse to treat accident or gunshot victims without a police report.
Minister Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that the Federal Government will no longer tolerate such negligence and has directed hospitals to display signposts that read ‘No more rejection of emergency patients’ outside their facilities.
“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,” the minister announced.
To enforce this directive, Kennedy-Ohanenye said a mobile court is in place to adjudicate cases of hospitals refusing emergency patients. She also called on all Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any such incidents.
“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,” she said.
She added; “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.”
