House Moves to Overhaul Emergency Care Amid Rising Preventable Deaths
The House of Representatives has demanded sweeping reforms to improve emergency response in Nigerian hospitals, warning that delays, patient rejection and inadequate facilities are contributing to a growing number of avoidable deaths.
The call followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rodney Ebikebina Ambaiowei titled, “Need to prioritise and boost health emergency response and management of emergency cases in Nigerian hospitals.”
Presenting the motion, Ambaiowei described the state of emergency care across the country as dangerously insufficient, noting that conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, traumatic injuries and disaster-related emergencies require swift and coordinated medical attention. He argued that the system as it stands is failing those who need it most.
The lawmaker reminded his colleagues that the National Health Act of 2014 makes it compulsory for health facilities to provide emergency care to anyone who needs it, without preconditions or concern for ability to pay. Yet, he said, hospitals frequently disregard this legal mandate.
He referenced the recent death of Arise TV presenter and news producer Sommie Maduagwu, who reportedly died after being turned away by a hospital due to delays in emergency response. He described her case as one of many similar tragedies occurring across the country.
Ambaiowei also raised alarm over the proliferation of private hospitals that lack basic emergency infrastructure, noting that poor regulation and inadequate capacity have worsened the situation for patients in crisis.
“There is virtually no effective monitoring of these facilities,” he said, adding that such gaps jeopardise public trust in the health system.
Following the debate, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Development to establish a committee to ensure all hospitals meet minimum emergency care standards, including appropriate equipment and trained staff, as a prerequisite for maintaining their licences.
The lower chamber also directed its Committees on Health Institutions and Health Care Services to carry out nationwide compliance checks and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
