The directive was issued during an ongoing healthcare training programme in Umuahia, aimed at improving service delivery across public hospitals.
Life First, Payment Later
Under the new directive:
Doctors and nurses must treat and stabilize emergency patients first.
Payment discussions should come after immediate care is provided.
No patient should be abandoned due to inability to pay upfront.
This move is designed to ensure that critical cases receive urgent attention without delay.
Training for Healthcare Workers
The programme includes:
Doctors
Nurses
Pharmacists
Laboratory technicians
Patients Liaison Officers (PLOs)
The training focuses on improving both medical response and patient interaction.
Speaking at the event, Nnenna Ihekoromadu, CEO of Quantus Medical Foundation, stressed the importance of empathy in healthcare.
She criticized poor patient-personnel relationships and urged workers to:
Use polite and respectful language, show compassion to patients and families, and provide attentive and supportive care.
“Sick persons require respect, kind words, and attentive care,” she said.
Warning Against Negligence
Dr. Ihekoromadu also warned against denying care due to financial constraints:
“Stabilize them, treat them before you start asking about payments.”
She added that healthcare workers must be held accountable for the quality of care they provide.
The expert also called on the Nigerian government to improve welfare packages for medical personnel, noting that better working conditions would enhance service delivery nationwide.
Disclaimer: Comments and opinions on any part of this website are the opinions of blog commenters or anonymous individuals, and do not reflect Strenuous Blog position.