The House of Representatives is taking significant steps to enhance the enforcement of patients' rights to emergency medical care by proposing stringent sanctions for hospitals that refuse or delay treatment. This initiative follows the second reading of a bill aimed at amending the National Health Act of 2014, led by Mr. Akin Rotimi, the representative for Ikole/Oye Federal Constituency in Ekiti State.

The proposed legislation introduces mandatory protocols for emergency triage, stabilization, and referral procedures, with specific timelines that healthcare facilities must adhere to. Hospitals would be required to initiate triage within 15 minutes of a patient's arrival and to begin basic stabilization within 30 minutes. Life-saving interventions must commence immediately upon identifying a life-threatening condition, regardless of administrative processes.

During the debate on the bill, Rotimi emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating that delays in accessing emergency medical care have led to preventable deaths and complications. He pointed out that despite existing laws designed to protect patients' rights, many Nigerians continue to suffer due to administrative hurdles, demands for upfront payments, lack of available beds, and poorly coordinated referrals.

"In a medical emergency, time is the difference between life and death. Yet, Nigerians continue to lose their lives or suffer preventable complications because of delays arising from administrative bottlenecks," Rotimi lamented. He noted that while the National Health Act prohibits the refusal of emergency medical treatment, the need for clearer operational standards and stronger enforcement mechanisms has become evident.

The proposed amendment also addresses the issue of medical personnel shortages by allowing trained and certified nurses to conduct triage when a medical practitioner is unavailable. Furthermore, healthcare facilities would need to assign a bed to an emergency patient within two hours if one is available. If no bed is available, the facility must start stabilization and initiate a referral within two hours of the patient's arrival.

In addition to response timelines, the legislation outlines stricter penalties for healthcare establishments and professionals that neglect their emergency care responsibilities. Hospitals that obstruct or delay emergency treatment could face financial penalties, suspension of their operating licenses, and even closure for repeated offenses. Healthcare professionals who deliberately refuse or abandon emergency patients may also face criminal charges and disciplinary action.

Recognizing that healthcare facilities sometimes operate under genuine resource constraints, the bill provides protections for healthcare workers who document these limitations and adhere to established referral procedures. It also allows patients or their representatives to seek compensation through civil action against healthcare facilities for injuries or deaths resulting from violations of the emergency treatment provisions.

Rotimi articulated the bill's primary goal: to protect lives and restore public confidence in Nigeria's healthcare system. He stated, "Every unnecessary delay increases the risk of deterioration, disability, or death. Our laws must therefore establish clear responsibilities and minimum standards for timely intervention."

The proposed amendment acknowledges the challenges faced by healthcare delivery in Nigeria while distinguishing between genuine resource limitations and negligence. It mandates that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria jointly develop a standardized national emergency care curriculum. Healthcare workers involved in emergency care would be required to undergo mandatory training and certification every 18 months.

Rotimi concluded by urging his fellow lawmakers to support the bill, emphasizing that no Nigerian should have to negotiate for treatment during a medical emergency. He stated, "This bill provides an important legislative step towards emergency medical care that is timely, competent, coordinated, and accountable. It seeks to ensure that the right to emergency treatment is not merely declared in our laws but reflected in the actual delivery of healthcare."

This legislative proposal comes at a critical time as access to emergency medical services in Nigeria continues to be hampered by financial barriers, inadequate facilities, and a shortage of medical personnel, leaving many patients and their families in distress during urgent situations.