Public health expert, Professor Alero Roberts, don warn say punishing health workers wey no attend to emergency patients no go solve Nigeria health wahala if government no improve hospital facilities, employ more workers and make their working conditions better.
As Professor Alero Roberts talk for Nigeria Info FM Morning Crossfire with Kofi Bartels, she address the proposed amendment to the National Health Act 2014.
Roberts na professor of community medicine for University of Lagos College of Medicine and honorary consultant for Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
The proposed bill, wey don pass second reading for Senate, dey seek to set time limits for hospitals to attend to emergency patients and introduce tougher punishment for health workers and hospitals wey no follow the rules.
Under the proposed amendment, hospitals must begin to check and assess emergency patients within 15 minutes after dem arrive. Dem must also start basic treatment to stabilise patients within 30 minutes and immediately begin life-saving treatment once dem identify any condition wey fit cause death.
Any health worker or hospital wey dem find guilty of breaking these rules fit pay fine of up to N300,000, go prison for up to six months or face both punishments.
Roberts describe the bill as something wey come at the right time because e don make people pay attention to the serious problems for Nigeria health sector and the deaths wey dem fit prevent.
However, she warn say government no suppose put all the blame on doctors and nurses when hospitals no get the equipment and materials wey dem need to treat emergency patients.
She use the example of a patient wey need urgent treatment, explain say health workers fit no get wetin dem need to save the person because important medical supplies and equipment no dey available.
Roberts question how doctor or nurse go take stabilise patient without drip, drip set or oxygen wey dem fit use immediately.
She also warn say putting health workers for prison under this kind situation fit make the shortage of medical workers for hospitals worse.
The medical expert also point out say Nigeria no get enough trained health professionals. She call for government to employ and retain qualified doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and medical laboratory scientists.
She add say health workers need better salaries and working conditions wey go allow dem do their work properly.
Roberts also stress say medical professionals must face punishment if dem get everything wey dem need to treat patients but deliberately refuse to do their work.
She explain say doctors and nurses get professional responsibilities and must follow the Hippocratic Oath, but government must also consider the conditions wey dem dey work under before holding dem responsible.
The proposed amendment to the National Health Act na bill wey Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar'Adua, wey represent Katsina Central Senatorial District, sponsor.
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