Abia State hospitals have received a firm directive to save lives first during emergencies before asking for any form of payment. This vital instruction was delivered during a training programme in Umuahia for doctors, nurses, and laboratory staff. The Abia State government organised the event to better prepare Patients Liaison Officers for their roles within the local healthcare system.
Dr Nnenna Ihekoromadu, the head of Quantus Medical Foundation, spoke strongly against the current state of patient care in Nigeria. She argued that medical professionals must treat patients with kindness and respect to help them recover faster. According to her, the use of soft words and close attention is just as important as the medicine itself. She insisted that every staff member on duty should be held responsible for the quality of service they provide.
A major focus of the training was the treatment of people in urgent need of care. Dr Ihekoromadu explained that it is morally wrong to leave a patient to suffer just because their family has not yet made a deposit. The new rule is clear: staff must stabilise and treat the person before discussing financial matters. This change aims to ensure that no one is denied help during a crisis due to a lack of immediate funds.
Finally, the session highlighted the need for better support for those working on the frontline. Dr Ihekoromadu urged the government to improve the welfare of healthcare workers so they can perform their duties effectively. By combining better pay for staff with more compassionate care for patients, Abia State hopes to transform its medical services for the better.
Do you think making it illegal to demand payment before emergency treatment will significantly reduce mortality rates in Nigerian hospitals?
