Reps seek overhaul of emergency response in hospitals

The House of Representatives has called for urgent reforms to strengthen emergency response systems in hospitals across Nigeria following rising cases of avoidable deaths linked to delays and rejection of patients in critical condition. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion titled: “Need to prioritise and boost health emergency response and management of emergency […]

The House of Representatives has called for urgent reforms to strengthen emergency response systems in hospitals across Nigeria following rising cases of avoidable deaths linked to delays and rejection of patients in critical condition.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion titled: “Need to prioritise and boost health emergency response and management of emergency cases in Nigerian hospitals,” sponsored by Rodney Ebikebina Ambaiowei.

Moving the motion, Ambaiowei noted that emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, severe bleeding, accidents and natural disasters required immediate and coordinated responses, stressing that the current state of emergency care in Nigeria is “grossly inadequate and life-threatening.”

He reminded the House that section 20 of the National Health Act, 2014, made it a statutory obligation for health care providers to administer emergency treatment to any person without preconditions or consideration of ability to pay.

“Despite this legal obligation, many hospitals, both public and private, routinely reject emergency patients, leading to preventable deaths,” Ambaiowei said. 

The lawmaker cited the recent death of Arise TV presenter and news producer, Sommie Maduagwu, who reportedly died after being rejected by a hospital due to delays in emergency attention.

“Sommie’s death is one among many cases of Nigerians who lose their lives daily because hospitals are unequipped, unwilling or unaware of their legal responsibility to provide immediate care,” he said.

Ambaiowei expressed concern that private hospitals were springing up across the country without proper emergency response facilities, further worsening the situation.

“There is little or no monitoring of these facilities, and many lack the capacity to handle critical emergencies. This must change if we are to restore public confidence in our health care system,” he added.

The House, therefore, urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Development to immediately set up a committee that would ensure that all hospitals possess the necessary infrastructure and trained personnel to handle emergency cases as a condition for continued operation.

It also mandated the Committees on Health Institutions and Health Care Services to monitor hospitals nationwide for compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative actions.