The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern warning to hospital managements that refuse to treat patients brought in during emergencies.
This follows recent incidents of patients being denied critical care, leading to their deaths.
At the ‘Unlock Grants Award’ ceremony in Abuja on Sunday, Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, highlighted the FG’s stance, referencing the October 2023 case where road traffic robbery victim, Greatness Olorunfemi, died after being denied treatment at Maitama Hospital, Abuja. Similar cases, including two gunshot victims being rejected by a Lagos hospital, have prompted government action.
“These are some of the major issues we have in this country,” Kennedy-Ohanenye said. “Our hospitals will also put a sign of ‘No more rejection of emergency patients.’”
The minister noted that the Federal Government has established a mobile court to handle such cases swiftly. “I have a mobile court for any hospital that does that,” she announced, calling on Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue to use social media to highlight and tackle these critical issues.
Earlier this year, the House of Representatives directed the Federal Ministry of Health to address hospitals refusing to treat accident or gunshot victims without a police report.
Did Kennedy-Ohanenye emphasized that the government would no longer tolerate such refusals
“This fight is not for one person alone. It is for all of us,” She said.
