NMA Opposes Senate Plan To Jail Health Workers Over Rejection Of Emergency Patients

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has opposed the proposed amendment to the National Health Act seeking to introduce jail terms and fines for health workers who reject patients requiring emergency medical attention, warning that the move could criminalise healthcare professionals for failures beyond their control.

The association argued that rather than introducing stiffer penalties, the National Assembly should prioritise addressing inadequate funding, severe manpower shortages, poor hospital infrastructure and the shortage of essential medical supplies undermining emergency healthcare delivery across the country.

In a statement signed by its p toresident, Dr. (Prof.) Afekhi...