The Federal Government of Nigeria has called upon hospitals across the country to prioritize saving lives above all else. For years, it has been a common practice for Nigerian hospitals to require police reports from individuals who have suffered from gunshot wounds or accidents before providing them with medical treatment. Unfortunately, this requirement has resulted in the loss of many lives.
Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has stated that the Federal Government has issued a directive to hospitals, emphasizing the importance of saving lives before making any other demands. Pate further expressed his disappointment with the practice of demanding police reports from patients in emergencies, stating that in all federal teaching hospitals, the priority is to save lives. He shared this insight during an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, October 11th.
Pate emphasized that the directive to prioritize life-saving measures has been reiterated to all hospitals across the country. He firmly stated that no individual with a life-threatening emergency should be made to wait for a police report before receiving medical assistance. Saving lives is the primary objective, and the government is resolute in pursuing this approach. Pate hopes that all hospitals, including private ones, will adopt the mindset that prioritizes saving lives above all else within the field of healthcare.
The Health Minister expressed his expectation that all states in Nigeria will also adhere to the Federal Government’s directive within their respective hospitals. By doing so, they can ensure that life-saving measures are prioritized without unnecessary delays or requirements.
