Reps Propose Sanctions for Hospitals Over Emergency Treatment Delays

Nigeria’s House of Representatives has proposed stricter penalties for hospitals and healthcare professionals who refuse, delay or obstruct emergency medical treatment.

The proposal is contained in a bill sponsored by Rep. Akin Rotimi Jnr, seeking to amend the National Health Act 2014 to strengthen accountability and establish clear standards for emergency care.

Leading debate on the bill’s general principles, Rotimi said preventable deaths and complications continued to occur because of administrative delays, demands for payment before treatment, unavailable beds and poorly coordinated referrals.

Under the proposed amendment, hospitals would be required to begin triage within 15 minutes of a patient’s arrival and basic stabilisation within 30 minutes. Life-saving interventions must commence immediately once a life-threatening condition is identified, regardless of administrative requirements.

The bill also proposes that trained nurses be authorised to conduct triage where doctors are unavailable.

Hospitals would have up to two hours to provide an emergency bed, where available. If none is available, they must stabilise the patient and arrange a referral. Transport should be organised within 30 minutes of the referral decision, with transfer completed within three hours, subject to circumstances beyond the facility’s control.

Facilities that breach the proposed requirements could face financial penalties, suspension or withdrawal of operating licences, while repeat offenders could face closure. Healthcare professionals who wilfully abandon or refuse emergency patients could face criminal and professional disciplinary action.

The bill provides protection for workers acting in good faith who properly document resource constraints and follow referral procedures. Patients or their representatives could also seek compensation where a breach results in injury, disability or death.

It further proposes mandatory emergency care training and certification for relevant healthcare workers at intervals not exceeding 18 months, with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the Nursing and Midwifery Council tasked with developing a national curriculum.

Rotimi said the amendment would strengthen public confidence and ensure that patients receive timely care irrespective of their circumstances.

Section 20 of the existing National Health Act already prohibits the refusal of emergency treatment. The proposed changes seek to reinforce that obligation through specific timelines and stronger enforcement.

The bill’s effectiveness will depend on adequate staffing, equipment, hospital capacity and effective regulatory oversight.