The Abia State Government has directed all public hospitals across the state to prioritise saving patients’ lives before demanding any form of payment, particularly in emergency situations. The directive, aimed at improving access to urgent medical care, instructs doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel to provide immediate treatment to patients upon arrival, regardless of their ability to pay at that moment.
According to the government, the move is part of broader efforts to strengthen the healthcare system and ensure that no life is lost due to delays caused by financial requirements. Health workers were reminded that emergency response must take precedence over administrative or payment processes. The policy aligns with global best practices in emergency medicine, where stabilising patients is considered the first duty of healthcare providers before any billing procedures are initiated.
Authorities emphasised that hospitals must comply fully with the directive, warning that failure to prioritise life-saving interventions could attract sanctions. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare delivery and protecting the welfare of citizens.
The development has been welcomed by many stakeholders, who see it as a critical step toward reducing preventable deaths and ensuring more humane treatment of patients in critical conditions.
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