The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has threatened possible nationwide industrial action over proposed legislation that could expose healthcare workers to imprisonment for delays or failure to provide emergency medical treatment.

The controversy follows a proposed amendment to the National Health Act, 2026, which seeks to establish mandatory standards for emergency medical services in public and private hospitals.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, proposes penalties of up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of ₦300,000 or both for healthcare workers found to have violated its provisions.

Among the requirements outlined in the proposal is that hospitals should begin assessing emergency patients within 15 minutes of arrival and provide basic stabilisation measures within 30 minutes.

However, the Nigerian Medical Association and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors have raised concerns about the proposed penalties.

The medical associations argue that hospitals across the country continue to struggle with inadequate staffing, insufficient medical equipment, unreliable electricity, shortages of essential medicines and poor emergency transportation systems.

They maintain that healthcare professionals should not face criminal prosecution for circumstances beyond their control, particularly where hospitals lack the resources needed to provide immediate treatment.

The resident doctors’ association has warned that it could consider nationwide industrial action if lawmakers proceed with what it considers punitive provisions.

The bill has passed its second reading in the Senate and has been referred to the relevant Senate committee for further legislative consideration.

Sources: The Punch and the Nigerian Medical Association/Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors.
Punch Newspapers.