A US-based foundation, Quantus Medical Foundation (QMF), has urged hospital management across Nigeria to always accept emergency cases in a bid to save lives.
The founder of QMF, Dr Nnenna Ihekoromadu, made the call during the flag-off of the “WeCare Nigeria Initiative” at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, on Monday.
She noted that some patients rushed to hospitals in emergency situations are often refused care for reasons such as lack of beds, non-availability of medical doctors, and understaffing of medical personnel.
“We are calling on hospital management to put a ban on patient rejection in emergency situations, whether it is during labor or any other medical emergency, because Nigerian law does not allow that.
“The law says no patient should be refused care in an emergency situation, but most patients are unaware of this. We need to increase awareness.
“This is why we need to empower health personnel by providing the tools, resources, and training necessary so they do not reject patients. The WeCare Nigeria Initiative is designed to support healthcare workers, not assign blame,” she said.
Ihekoromadu added that the initiative would support UNTH by providing satellite facilities, training porters with uniforms and walkie-talkies, and increasing bed spaces in the accident and emergency units.
She explained that engagement with UNTH management and staff focused on strengthening compassionate care, emergency preparedness, and patient safety.
“The engagement also reinforced awareness of existing Nigerian law prohibiting the refusal of emergency patients, highlighting the importance of aligning hospital practice with legal, ethical, and professional standards,” she stressed.
Also speaking, Programme Director of WeCare, Chibuogu Obinwa, said the initiative’s ambassadors were created to drive change in the hospital, particularly in the accident and emergency units.
“This will lead to zero refusal of patients in emergency situations and create a model for timely patient care,” she said.
In the same vein, the Chief Medical Director of UNTH, Prof. Obinna Onodugo, said the initiative aligns with the hospital’s ongoing efforts to save lives in emergencies.
“We conduct quarterly performance reviews where heads of departments and units assess operations. The hospital does not waste time in treating emergency patients and operates 24 hours a day to serve the public,” he said.
