The Senate is reviewing a bill that would impose a fine of up to N300,000 or a six-month jail term on hospitals and healthcare providers that fail to meet proposed emergency treatment standards.Sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, the legislation seeks to amend the National Health Act, 2014.
It aims to set clear, enforceable rules for emergency care, staff training and patient referrals in both public and private facilities.Under the proposal, hospitals must begin triage and initial assessment of emergency patients within 15 minutes of arrival. If a licensed doctor is unavailable, a trained and certified nurse may carry out the triage.
Basic stabilisation measures such as oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, pain relief and preliminary diagnostics must start within 30 minutes. Life-saving interventions, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway management and bleeding control, would be required immediately once a life-threatening condition is identified.
Facilities would also need to assign a bed within two hours if admission is necessary (subject to availability). Where beds are unavailable, the hospital must stabilise the patient and begin referral arrangements within two hours of arrival or as soon as the patient is stable enough for transfer.
Ambulance dispatch or alternative transport must be arranged within 30 minutes of a decision to refer.The bill further requires the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to jointly develop a standardised national emergency care curriculum. All relevant healthcare workers would need to complete training and certification at intervals of no more than 18 months.
Leading debate at Wednesday’s plenary, Yar’Adua said the amendment would close critical gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system and guarantee timely, life-saving treatment regardless of a patient’s social status, wealth, influence or location. He noted that the proposals align with practices in countries including Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Senate Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) backed the bill, arguing it would help prevent avoidable deaths from road accidents and maternal emergencies. He criticised instances in which healthcare providers neglect emergency patients, leading to preventable fatalities, and said the legislation would introduce criminal liability for breaches of the new standards.
A person or health facility that contravenes the proposed rules would, on conviction, face a fine not exceeding N300,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
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