Written by SpringNewsNG Media Limited, April 4, 2025

In the heart of Lagos, 32-year-old Kemi bled to death just steps away from the emergency ward. Her only offense? She couldn’t produce a ₦500,000 deposit. Her unborn child died with her. This isn’t an isolated tragedy—it’s a systemic crisis.

Across Nigeria, hospitals—both public and private—are enforcing a disturbing policy: no treatment without upfront payment, even in life-threatening emergencies. For thousands like Kemi, it’s a death sentence.

A Legal Right Ignored

Nigeria’s Constitution, under Section 33, guarantees every citizen the right to life. In medical terms, that should translate to access to emergency healthcare—without delay or precondition. However, the grim reality on the ground tells a different story.

When hospitals demand deposits before providing life-saving treatment, they are violating not only constitutional rights but also the ethical foundations of medicine. In Kemi’s case, medical personnel allegedly refused to act despite her husband’s desperate pleas. Instead, they pointed to a policy—pay first, live later.

Ethical Standards vs. Deadly Practices

The Hippocratic Oath, a cornerstone of global medical ethics, compels doctors to preserve life and relieve suffering without discrimination. Yet, policies requiring payment before treatment fly in the face of this oath.

Healthcare professionals are trained to save lives, not turn patients away. The refusal to treat Kemi until a deposit was made shows a cold, calculated prioritization of revenue over human life—a choice that cost two lives in a single moment.

Accountability in Law

The Consumer Protection Act of 1986 and principles of tort law offer legal recourse to families affected by medical negligence. When a healthcare provider’s inaction leads to harm, victims can pursue justice through civil claims or even criminal prosecution in severe cases.

Kemi’s family could sue for wrongful death—a legal acknowledgment that she died not from natural complications, but from a system that chose bureaucracy over humanity.

Moreover, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) is empowered to discipline healthcare providers. In cases like this, sanctions can range from license suspension to permanent revocation. However, enforcement has often been weak, leaving a trail of unpunished tragedies.

The Ministry of Health Must Act

This crisis demands bold intervention. The Federal Ministry of Health must enforce strict policies that prohibit deposit requirements for emergency care. Hospitals must be mandated to treat first and bill later, especially when lives hang in the balance.

A comprehensive review of existing regulations is needed, alongside the implementation of emergency health funds that hospitals can draw from when treating financially challenged patients.

Empowering Patients with Knowledge

Public awareness is vital. Many Nigerians are unaware that denying emergency care due to non-payment is not only unethical—it’s illegal. Nationwide education campaigns can arm citizens with the knowledge they need to demand better treatment and seek legal redress when rights are violated.

International Pressure and Global Standards

Global human rights organizations have long stressed that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege for the wealthy. It’s time they turn their spotlight on Nigeria’s healthcare system. Strategic partnerships with advocacy groups can amplify calls for reform and push the government toward accountability.

A Call to Action

Kemi’s story is a tragedy. But it must also be a turning point.

Let her death—and the countless others like hers—not be in vain. Let it awaken a nation’s conscience and stir leaders to action. The time for reform is now. Hospitals must prioritize care over cash. The law must shield the vulnerable. And the global community must stand in solidarity with Nigeria’s citizens in demanding a healthcare system that heals, not harms.

Because no one should die waiting for treatment—especially not over a price tag.