The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, has called on hospitals across the country to place the preservation of human life above all else.
Addressing a longstanding issue where hospitals have been known to demand police reports from victims of gunshot wounds and accidents before administering treatment, Pate expressed his concerns during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
Pate disclosed that the Federal Government has issued a directive to all hospitals, emphasizing that saving lives must be the foremost concern before any other demands or formalities.
He stressed that it is crucial to avoid situations where patients, in dire need of immediate medical attention, lose their lives due to bureaucratic procedures.
“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,” said Pate.
The Health Minister further explained that the Federal Government expects all states across the nation to adhere to this directive in their respective hospitals.
Moreover, he underscored that private hospitals also share the responsibility of putting saving lives as their top priority, as it is a fundamental principle of healthcare practice.
Pate also discussed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding health insurance across the country, following the recent launch of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
He emphasized the critical importance of ensuring access to affordable and high-quality healthcare for all Nigerians, highlighting that this is a crucial step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).