Emergency Medical Care and the Law in Nigeria: Towards Protection of Patients' Rights

Member States of international treaties that promote the right to health of persons are expected to create an environment where medical care will be available to ill or injured persons, regardless of their age, status, or level of wealth with the expectation that life expectancies will increase, health conditions will improve, and patients will be generally satisfied with services received. This study explores the emergency care system in Nigeria and appraises the extent to which access to emergency services are guaranteed. The existing laws both in Nigeria and internationally are explored to identify gaps and suitable models that would improve the current state of emergency care in Nigeria. The results specify that an Emergency Care Act, which would encompass all aspects of emergency care, as opposed to piecemeal legislation with limited effectiveness, should be adopted. Informal approaches to receiving care can be adopted while efforts are ongoing to establish a formal system. This translates to encouraging good Samaritans to assist distressed persons through legal protection from liability, in addition to training persons and agencies who would act as first responders. Additional efforts must be made in Nigeria to strengthen emergency care systems so that persons with emergency conditions will be promptly treated, thereby enjoying their right to emergency care.