Abia State government has directed medical personnel to prioritize saving lives in emergency situations before requesting payment from patients or their families. The directive was issued during a training program in Umuahia aimed at preparing Patients Liaison Officers (PLOs) for hospitals across the state.
Organized for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and other medical staff, the program emphasized the need for improved patient-personnel relations. Participants were advised against using harsh language toward patients and their families, instead encouraged to adopt a compassionate and respectful approach.
Dr. Nnenna Ihekoromadu, Chief Executive Officer of Quantus Medical Foundation, addressed the gathering, highlighting the poor state of patient-personnel relationships in Nigeria. She stressed that patients require dignity, empathy, and attentive care to complement medical treatment. “Sick persons in the hospital need respect, soft words, and close care to enhance the healing capacity of drugs,” she said. Dr. Ihekoromadu emphasized that medical staff should be held accountable for the quality of care provided.
She condemned the practice of withholding emergency treatment due to lack of upfront payment. “If a patient cannot afford care and they’ve come into an emergency situation, they will have to be treated. Stabilize them, treat them before you start asking about payments,” she stated.
The training also called on the Nigerian government to improve welfare packages for medical personnel to ensure optimal performance and service delivery.
The initiative reflects ongoing efforts to reform healthcare delivery in Abia State, with a focus on patient-centered care and professional accountability.
