Senate proposes jail term, ₦300,000 fine for hospitals violating emergency care standards

Hospitals in Nigeria may soon face stricter requirements for attending to patients in medical emergencies.

This follows a proposed amendment to the National Health Act before the Senate.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar'Adua, seeks to make emergency treatment standards compulsory for public and private hospitals.

The move is aimed at ensuring that patients receive prompt medical attention when they need it most.

Under the proposed legislation, hospitals would be required to assess emergency patients within 15 minutes of arrival and begin initial stabilisation within 30 minutes.

It also provides timelines for admitting patients and arranging referrals to other healthcare facilities where a hospital lacks the capacity to provide the required treatment.

To ensure compliance, the bill proposes a penalty of up to six months' imprisonment, a ₦300,000 fine or both for hospitals that violate the stipulated standards.

If passed into law, the amendment could strengthen emergency healthcare delivery and improve accountability among healthcare providers across the country.