Reps propose closure, licence withdrawal for hospitals denying emergency treatments

The House of Representatives has advanced a bill proposing stricter penalties for hospitals that refuse or delay emergency medical treatment. Sponsored by Akin Rotimi, the legislation requires hospitals to assess emergency patients within 15 minutes, begin stabilisation within 30 minutes and provide immediate life-saving interventions. Facilities violating the proposed rules could face fines, licence suspension or closure. The bill also introduces referral timelines and allows certified nurses to conduct triage when doctors are unavailable.

The House of Representatives has proposed tougher sanctions against hospitals that refuse or delay emergency medical treatment, including suspension or withdrawal of operating licences.

According to PUNCH Online, the proposal followed Wednesday’s second reading of a bill sponsored by Ekiti lawmaker Akin Rotimi to amend the National Health Act, 2014. Independent Newspaper Nigeria

The bill requires hospitals to assess emergency patients within 15 minutes and commence stabilisation within 30 minutes of arrival.

Life-saving interventions must begin immediately, while referrals and transportation must follow specified timelines.

“Mr Speaker, in a medical emergency, time is the difference between life and death. Yet, Nigerians continue to lose their lives or suffer preventable complications because of delays arising from administrative bottlenecks, demands for payment before treatment, unavailable hospital beds and poorly coordinated referrals,” Rotimi said.

The proposed legislation also allows certified nurses to conduct triage where doctors are unavailable.

Hospitals violating the provisions could face fines, licence suspension or closure for repeated offences.