The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern warning to hospitals across the country, cautioning them against the practice of demanding a police report before treating emergency patients.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, delivered this message on Wednesday as a crucial directive.
According to Minister Pate, the federal government has communicated a directive to all healthcare facilities, urging them to prioritize the lives of their patients.
This vital policy development was revealed during an appearance by Minister Pate on Channels Television’s “Sunrise Daily.”
Minister Pate expressed concerns regarding incidents where emergency patients, including those with gunshot wounds or injuries from accidents, were asked to provide police reports before receiving medical attention.
He emphasized the urgency of this matter, particularly referencing his recent visit to a federal teaching hospital in Maiduguri, where the principle of prioritizing life was reaffirmed.
In Minister Pate’s words, “Life first, and we have reemphasized that. All our hospitals, I believe, are doing that. No person should come with an emergency or a life-threatening condition and be subjected to unnecessary delays while awaiting a police report.
Saving lives takes precedence, and that is the directive we have issued—a commitment we intend to uphold, hoping that all healthcare facilities, including private hospitals, will adopt this philosophy: in matters of health, saving lives is paramount.”
The Health Minister emphasized that it is expected that states across the nation will also adhere to and implement the Federal Government’s directive in their respective healthcare institutions.
This directive marks a critical step towards ensuring the swift and efficient treatment of emergency patients without bureaucratic impediments. It reinforces the principle that the preservation of life should always take precedence in healthcare facilities across the country.
Health News