By Chinedu Adonu

The US-based Quantus Medical Foundation (QMF) has called on hospital management across Nigeria to enforce a strict ban on the rejection of patients during emergency situations, in a bid to save lives.

Founder of QMF, Dr Nnenna Ihekoromadu, made the call yesterday during the launch of the WeCare Nigeria Initiative at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu.

She lamented that many patients in critical conditions are often turned away from hospitals due to reasons such as lack of bed space, unavailability of doctors or understaffing.

Dr Nnenna stated that they conducted survey in the Teaching hospital before the selection of over 50 head of departments including Doctors and nurses that were trained as an ambassador of WeCare Nigeria tochange the culture, hold people accountable, be responsible and ensure excellence within the hospital environment across the country.

“We are urging hospital management to prohibit patient rejection during emergencies, whether during labour or other urgent cases, because Nigerian law explicitly forbids this,” she said. “Unfortunately, many patients are not aware of this law, so there is a need for increased public awareness.”

Dr Ihekoromadu stressed the need to empower healthcare workers with adequate tools, resources and training to enable them to attend to patients promptly in critical moments.

According to her, the initiative is designed to support healthcare providers rather than apportion blame.

“As part of the programme, UNTH will receive satellite communication tools, uniforms and walkie-talkies to enhance quick communication among staff, as well as an expansion of patient capacity in the accident and emergency unit,” she said.

She added that the engagement focused on promoting compassionate care, emergency preparedness and patient safety.

“The foundation carried out structured discussions and hands-on training with UNTH’s management, medical staff and porters to improve emergency response and hospital culture. This pilot project is designed to be replicated in other hospitals across Nigeria,” she stated.

The Programme Director of WeCare Nigeria, Chibogu Obinwa, said hospital ambassadors would lead the drive, particularly in emergency units, with the goal of eliminating patient refusals.

“This will lead to zero rejection of patients in emergency situations and create a model of humane and responsive care,” she said.

UNTH’s Chief Medical Director, Prof Obinna Onodugo, commended the initiative, noting that the hospital already operates protocols that support prompt emergency treatment.

“We conduct quarterly reviews and run a 24-hour SERVICOM desk to ensure timely care for emergency patients,” he said.