Lawyers condemn hospitals for demanding deposits before emergency treatment

Lagos-based lawyers have warned hospitals against demanding upfront payments before providing emergency medical treatment, stressing that such practices violate Nigerian law.

According to a report by Vanguard on Saturday, the lawyers cited Section 20 of the National Health Act, 2014, which prohibits denying patients emergency care.

Jumoke Ajayi, a legal practitioner, explained that offenders risk a ₦100,000 fine, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

“The legal position is that the hospital must attend to the patient’s emergency medical needs without refusing treatment on financial grounds,” she said.

Another lawyer, Spurgeon Ataene, warned that doctors demanding payment before treating critically ill patients could face professional sanctions.

An associate of the Institute of Medical and Health Law, Odinichionye Egwuenu, urged authorities to strengthen healthcare financing.

The lawyers emphasised that hospitals could recover medical expenses afterwards but must prioritise saving lives during emergencies, regardless of patients’ immediate financial circumstances or ability to pay.