The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has voiced strong opposition to a proposed amendment to the National Health Act that seeks to impose a six-month jail term or a ₦300,000 fine on healthcare professionals for delays in emergency medical treatment. This legislation has sparked significant concern among medical practitioners, who argue that it unfairly targets them for systemic issues within the healthcare system.

In a statement issued on Friday in Calabar, NARD President Dr Ogar Idoko criticized the proposed bill as punitive and counterproductive. He emphasized that healthcare workers should not be criminalized for delays that often arise from inadequate infrastructure, insufficient resources, and other systemic weaknesses that plague the Nigerian healthcare system. Idoko's remarks highlight a growing frustration among medical professionals regarding the legislative approach to healthcare challenges in the country.S2

The proposed legislation has been met with widespread concern not only from doctors but also from various stakeholders in the healthcare sector, who fear that such measures could deter individuals from pursuing medical careers in Nigeria. As the debate continues, the NARD is calling for a more supportive framework that addresses the root causes of delays in emergency care rather than imposing harsh penalties on healthcare workers.S1