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Nigeria

Nigerian Senate advances bill mandating emergency treatment in hospitals

The bill would set penalties for delayed emergency care and standard referral rules, affecting public and private health providers across Nigeria.

Photo: NALTF

What happened

The Nigerian Senate passed for second reading a bill to amend the National Health Act, 2014, to set emergency medical treatment standards and referral protocols in healthcare facilities. NALTF+2 The bill, titled the National Health Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar'adua of Katsina Central. allafrica.com+1 The proposal would require hospitals to begin treatment within 15 minutes of a patient's arrival. allafrica.com It prescribes a six-month jail term or a fine of up to N300,000 for hospitals and healthcare workers who delay emergency treatment. allafrica.com+1 After passage, the bill was referred to a Senate committee on health for further scrutiny and a public hearing. allafrica.com+1

Around it

Senators said the measure addresses long-standing cases in which critical patients face treatment denials, challenges or improper hospital-to-hospital transfers. NALTF Under the amendment, healthcare facilities would be legally required to meet the new emergency treatment standards. NALTF

What comes next

The bill will undergo legislative scrutiny by the Senate committee, including a public hearing. allafrica.com

Sources

  1. NALTFSenate Moves to Enforce Mandatory Emergency Medical Standards Across Healthcare Facilities
  2. allafrica.comNigerian Lawmakers Propose Six-Month Jail Term for Doctors, Nurses Who Delay Emergency Treatment
  3. Nigeria Info, Let's Talk!Senate Advances Bill to Make Emergency Treatment Compulsory in Nigerian Hospitals

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