House of Representatives Passes Bill to Speed Up Emergency Medical Care

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday to improve emergency medical care in Nigeria. This bill seeks to amend the National Health Act of 2014 to reduce delays in treatment and establish clear protocols for handling emergencies.

Rep. Akin Rotimi, who led the discussion on the bill, emphasized that everyone has the right to immediate medical care. He stated that no one should have to negotiate for treatment during a medical emergency. Rotimi pointed out that many Nigerians suffer or even die because of delays caused by administrative issues, payment demands, or lack of hospital beds.

The proposed changes include strict rules for healthcare providers to ensure timely responses in emergencies. For example, medical facilities must start assessing patients within 15 minutes of their arrival and begin life-saving treatment within 30 minutes if necessary. If doctors are not available, trained emergency nurses can take charge.

Additionally, the bill outlines how hospitals should handle patient transfers. If a hospital has space, they must admit an emergency patient within two hours. If they are full, they must start stabilizing the patient and arrange for their transfer to another facility within specific time frames.

The legislation also aims to hold healthcare providers accountable. Hospitals that delay or deny treatment could face serious penalties, including financial fines and loss of their licenses. Medical workers who neglect their duties could face criminal charges.

After receiving broad support from members of the House, the bill has been sent to the House Committee on Healthcare Services for further review.