The Federal Government has threatened to take legal actions against hospitals who decline to treat patients rushed for emergency treatment.
The warning was delivered on Sunday at the “Unlock Grants Award” event in Abuja by Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs.
Earlier this year, the Federal Ministry of Health was given a mandate by the House of Representatives to take firm action against hospitals and healthcare facilities that refus to treat accident or gunshot victims without first obtaining a police report.
Kennedy-Ohanenye, however, said that the FG hospitals would henceforth be required to place signs outside their doors that reads: “No more rejection of emergency patients.”
She said: “Our hospitals will also put a sign of ‘No more rejection of emergency patients.’ These are some of the major issues we have in this country. I am in touch with Maitama Hospital. But now, I have a mobile court for any hospital that does that. I use this opportunity to call on all Nigerians to be vigilant.
“Let me also say that I am proud of Nigerians. I love the way they are using social media to tackle issues. But focus and continue to tackle the main issues as you are doing. Keep it up. But this is the time for action.
“Let all of us buckle up to prevent emergency patients from being rejected. I am still going to keep calling on Nigerians. This fight is not for one person alone. It is for all of us.”
