The Nigerian Senate has advanced a bill seeking to punish hospitals and healthcare providers that violate emergency treatment standards, with proposed penalties of up to six months’ imprisonment, a ₦300,000 fine, or both.

The bill was debated during plenary on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, and sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua. It seeks to amend the National Health Act, 2014, by introducing clearer requirements for emergency medical care and patient referrals across the country.

Presenting the proposal, Yar’Adua argued that patients should not be denied urgent medical attention because of their financial situation, social standing or location. He said the absence of clearly defined and enforceable emergency care procedures had contributed to delays that could result in preventable deaths.

Under the proposed amendment, public and private hospitals licensed to provide emergency services would be required to assess patients within 15 minutes of their arrival. Where a medical doctor is unavailable, a trained and certified nurse would be permitted to conduct the initial assessment.

Healthcare facilities would also be expected to begin basic stabilisation within 30 minutes. This includes administering oxygen, providing intravenous fluids and pain relief, and conducting preliminary diagnostic procedures. Where a patient's condition is life-threatening, immediate interventions such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway management and bleeding control would be required.

The bill further outlines procedures for patients who need admission or transfer to another facility. Hospitals would be expected to provide beds within two hours, subject to availability. Where no bed is available, the facility would be required to stabilise the patient and arrange a referral. Ambulance services or alternative transportation would also have to be arranged promptly.

Beyond the treatment requirements, the proposal seeks to strengthen the skills of healthcare workers involved in emergency services. It directs the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to develop a standardised national emergency care curriculum. Relevant healthcare workers would also be required to undergo training and certification at intervals not exceeding 18 months.

The proposed penalties would apply to individuals or healthcare facilities found guilty of violating the emergency treatment provisions. Upon conviction, offenders could face a fine not exceeding ₦300,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

While some lawmakers supported the proposed measures as a way of reducing avoidable deaths, concerns were also raised about the conditions under which healthcare professionals operate. Senator Francis Faduyile cautioned against holding medical workers criminally responsible for delays without addressing challenges such as inadequate facilities, shortages of personnel and insufficient medical equipment.

The bill subsequently passed its second reading and was referred to the Senate Committee on Health for further legislative consideration, with a four-week deadline to report back.

If eventually passed and signed into law, the amendment would strengthen the legal obligations of hospitals in responding to medical emergencies. For now, however, the proposed penalties are not yet in force.

© 2026 Aliu Azeema |

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