Both houses of Nigeria's National Assembly have advanced bills that would penalise hospitals and health workers who delay or refuse emergency medical care, Premium Times reports. On Wednesday the Senate passed for second reading an amendment to the National Health Act proposing up to six months in jail or a fine of up to ₦300,000 for offenders. It would oblige hospitals to start treating an emergency patient within a quarter of an hour of arrival and begin stabilising them within half an hour.
The House of Representatives passed a similar bill for second reading the same day, proposing fines, licence suspensions and possible closure for facilities that refuse or obstruct emergency care. Its sponsor, Akin Rotimi, said Nigerians were still dying because of demands for payment before treatment, a lack of beds and poorly co-ordinated referrals. Both bills now go to committees and public hearings.
Source: Premium Times