The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to the management of hospitals that refuse to attend to emergency patients. Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, delivered this message at the ‘Unlock Grants Award’ ceremony in Abuja on Sunday.
In October 2023, media reports highlighted the tragic case of Greatness Olorunfemi, a victim of a road traffic robbery known as ‘one chance,’ who died after being denied treatment at Maitama Hospital in Abuja. A similar incident occurred a few years earlier when two gunshot victims were rejected by a Lagos hospital, resulting in their deaths.
These incidents prompted the House of Representatives to urge the Federal Ministry of Health to take decisive action against hospitals and healthcare facilities that refuse to treat accident or gunshot patients without a police report.
Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate such actions, directing hospitals to display signs stating ‘No more rejection of emergency patients’ outside their facilities. Additionally, a mobile court has been established to adjudicate such cases.
“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,” she said.
She continued, “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.”
