NARD rejects bill proposing jail for doctors over emergency delays

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has strongly rejected a Senate bill that seeks to impose a six-month jail term or a fine of up to ₦300,000 on healthcare workers and hospitals for delays in emergency care.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the association noted that the proposed amendment to the National Health Act, which has passed second reading in the Senate, would set strict timelines for treating and referring emergency patients.

But while acknowledging the need for prompt emergency care, NARD said criminalising doctors without fixing systemic failures was the wrong approach in the statement jointly signed by Dr. Ogar Emmanuel Idoko, its President, Dr. Besongngem Akotanchi, the Secretary General and Dr. Ashimom Timothy, the Publicity and Social Secretary of the association.

“It is unacceptable to punish doctors for the consequences of a healthcare system that successive governments have failed to adequately fund, equip and staff,” the statement said.

The doctors described working conditions in many hospitals as extremely difficult, citing obsolete equipment, severe staff shortages, frequent power outages, lack of emergency supplies and rundown infrastructure.

They argued that the problems resulted from years of institutional neglect rather than individual negligence.

NARD also criticised lawmakers for prioritising punitive legislation while Nigeria continues to miss the 15 per cent health budget target agreed under the Abuja Declaration.

It also challenged the National Assembly to show equal urgency in providing functional emergency units, modern diagnostic tools, reliable electricity, ambulances and more personnel.

“You cannot legislate oxygen into an empty cylinder, electricity into a dark operating theatre, or life-saving equipment into an inadequately funded hospital,” NARD said in the statement.

The association also warned that criminal penalties could accelerate the exodus of doctors, popularly known as the Japa syndrome, by making an already strained profession more hostile.

NARD therefore called for the withdrawal of the punitive clauses and demanded proper consultation with healthcare associations, hospital administrators and patients.

The association also urged lawmakers to focus instead on legislation that guarantees better funding, minimum emergency care standards and accountability for institutional failures.

The doctors further questioned political leaders who seek medical treatment abroad while expecting ordinary citizens to rely on poorly equipped public hospitals.

NARD said it would not remain silent if the bill is passed in its present form.

The association said it would consider all lawful options, including industrial action, while ensuring emergency and critically ill patients are protected.

“The responsibility for fixing Nigeria’s healthcare system cannot be transferred from government to doctors through the threat of imprisonment,” the statement concluded.