Nigeria Lawmakers Propose Six-Month Jail Terms for Care Delays

What changed

Nigerian lawmakers have proposed a six-month prison sentence for doctors and nurses who delay emergency treatment. The amendment would also require hospitals to begin treating patients within 15 minutes of arrival.

Why it matters

The proposal would turn waiting for emergency care into a potential criminal matter, putting both individual clinicians and hospitals under a clear legal deadline. The 15-minute rule is the practical core of the measure: it defines when treatment must begin, while the jail term raises the stakes for delays.

The proposal’s passage, implementation rules and enforcement resources remain uncertain.