The Abia State government has issued a directive for medical personnel to prioritize saving lives in emergency situations before inquiring about payment from patients or their families. This directive was announced during a training program held in Umuahia, which aimed to prepare Patients Liaison Officers (PLOs) for hospitals throughout the state. The program, designed for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and other medical staff, emphasized the importance of improving relationships between patients and healthcare personnel.
Participants were advised to avoid using harsh language towards patients and their families, and instead, to adopt a compassionate and respectful approach. Dr. Nnenna Ihekoromadu, Chief Executive Officer of Quantus Medical Foundation, addressed the attendees and highlighted the poor state of patient-personnel relationships in Nigeria. She underscored the necessity for patients to receive dignity, empathy, and attentive care to complement their medical treatment. “Sick persons in the hospital need respect, soft words, and close care to enhance the healing capacity of drugs,” she stated.
Dr. Ihekoromadu further emphasized that medical staff should be held accountable for the quality of care they provide. She condemned the practice of withholding emergency treatment due to the inability to make upfront payments. “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 asserted.
Additionally, the training program called on the Nigerian government to enhance welfare packages for medical personnel to ensure optimal performance and service delivery. This initiative reflects ongoing efforts to reform healthcare delivery in Abia State, with a strong focus on patient-centered care and professional accountability.
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