Don’t Insist On Police Report Before Saving Lives – Health Minister Pate Sends Message To Hospitals
Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has emphasized the importance of prioritizing life-saving measures above all else in hospitals across the country.
Over the years, concerns have arisen regarding hospitals requiring police reports from victims of gunshots and accidents prior to administering treatment, resulting in tragic outcomes for many of these individuals.
However, during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Sunrise Daily” on Wednesday, Pate expressed his dismay over this situation. He stated that the Federal Government has issued a directive to hospitals, instructing them to always prioritize saving lives before making any other requests or demands.
“Recently there have been concerns about patients who show up at the emergency facilities and police reports being asked about gunshots or accidents. That’s really unfortunate, but in all federal teaching hospitals, for instance, I was in Maiduguri at the weekend, life has to be saved first.
“Life first and we have reemphasised that. All our hospitals I believe are doing that. No person should come with an emergency, or life-threatening challenge and be made to lose their life while awaiting police report.
“Saving lives comes first and that is the direction we have given; that is what we would pursue and we hope that all hospitals including private hospitals will have this mindset that in health, it’s save lives first,” Pate said.
The Health Minister emphasized the anticipation that states nationwide will adhere to the Federal Government’s directive in their respective healthcare facilities. He underscored that private hospitals share the same responsibility, emphasizing that as healthcare providers, prioritizing life-saving measures is paramount.
He also touched on the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing health insurance accessibility in the country, highlighted by the recent establishment of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Pate further stressed that ensuring affordable, high-quality healthcare access for all Nigerians is pivotal in progressing toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
