Abuja: Sen. Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has urged the immediate activation and implementation of the Emergency Medical Treatment (EMT) funds as stipulated in Section A150 of the National Health Act 2014. The senator highlighted the urgent need for these funds in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the EMT funds are derived from a five per cent allocation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and are intended to support the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS). Nwoko pointed out that emergencies occur daily across Nigeria, often resulting in preventable deaths due to hospitals requiring upfront payment before providing treatment. He emphasized that over 75 per cent of Nigerians finance their healthcare expenses out-of-pocket, contributing to increased poverty and poor health outcomes.
The National Health Act, signed into law on October 31, 2014, was designed to provide a comprehensive legal framework for regulating, developing, and managing the country's health system. Its aim is to raise national healthcare standards, improve accessibility, and ensure equitable service delivery for all Nigerians. Section A150 of the Act establishes the BHCPF, financed through one per cent of the Federal Government's consolidated revenue, alongside grants from international donors and other approved sources.
The Act specifies allocations for the fund, including 50 per cent for basic health services via the National Health Insurance Scheme, 20 per cent for essential drugs and vaccines, 15 per cent for maintaining healthcare facilities, 10 per cent for developing human resources for primary healthcare, and five per cent specifically for emergency medical treatment.
Despite the statutory framework, Nwoko noted a lack of public evidence that the five per cent allocation for emergency medical treatment had been implemented or made accessible to those in urgent need. He cited cases such as the death of Sen. Ibrahim Kontagora, who was denied critical surgery over a deposit, and Mrs. Akinbobola Folajimi, a pregnant woman denied emergency treatment due to financial constraints. These incidents underscore systemic failures in Nigeria's emergency healthcare delivery.
Nwoko stressed that these are not isolated cases, as many Nigerians face similar challenges daily. He emphasized that hospitals' insistence on deposits before treatment disregards Section A150 (2)(c) of the National Health Act, which mandates emergency treatment without initial payment. The non-implementation of this provision undermines public trust in the healthcare sector and violates the law's intent, as well as Nigeria's constitutional obligation to protect the right to life.
The senator called for the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the National Council on Health, to activate the EMT Fund immediately. He also urged the Federal Government to mandate the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to implement a transparent framework for accessing the emergency fund.
Nwoko recommended that the Senate direct relevant committees to review the current status of the BHCPF, focusing specifically on the utilisation of the emergency medical treatment allocation. He also proposed the establishment of a dedicated Emergency Medical Response System linked to the Fund, featuring a toll-free national emergency number, ambulance services, and designated hospitals to provide immediate treatment.