Ihediwa, George

Honestly I don't think any hospital turns away medical emergencies. The problem is Nigerians need to understand that there is a breakdown of Healthcare structure already, Referral is not neglect a patient. I'd explain An average private hospital in Nigeria isn't equipped to handle most medical emergencies, I don't want to even talk about PHCs that should be the bedrock of Healthcare, A lot of them are Deados. Let's use an example, A Diabetic emergency is rushed into the hospital with high glucose and they need insulin. How many of these private hospitals even stock Insulin... in big 2026, when government isn't giving us 24/7 light, how many will stock insulin? Of course if they see such , the only smart and wise option is to refer to another facility where they can get this care. Were they rejected ? No. But they were directed to a place to get help Now imagine they go to another hospital plagued with the same problem, and they also refer.. were they rejected ? No That's what happens when there is poverty and lack of investment in healthcare. Now let's imagine they even make their way to the hospital. Since all the tiers of healthcare are broken down, the teaching hospitals and federal centers that should be the quarternary level of care are burdened with every simple case. What is Malaria doing in a teaching hospital? What is A minor laceration doing a teaching hospital? These are cases PHCs can handle. Oopps I forgot, most are dead. But these teaching hospitals have no choice than to admit and care for these cases, because if they say go to a lower tier, same people will come to media and say they were rejected. Now we have all these cases in the hospitals and beds are filled When patients then come, where will you put patients? Of course. There is no space and this is current situation but what will the public say. They rejected us. If we will win. These are my proposed strategies We need to demand the government to do better. FIX PHCS!!!! Primary health centers will lessen a lot Revamp existing.. I won't say create new ones. The ones that are there already are dead. Fix the secondary and tertiary Healthcare Mandate insurance for the whole country. The government cannot do it alone . You need to have private public partnerships. Fix the government hospitals Invest in Healthcare, healthcare in Nigeria has hit a nadir, poor funding, poor remuneration, lack of personnels These are easy fixes. Consider investing in telemedicine. It will solve a lot of these bottle necks. If we don't fix it one at a time. We will keep complaining and the cycle will continue. And people need to understand, Referral is not rejection. Don't always think giving fluid is equivalent to saving lives. There are emergencies that you need to get to a facility with appropriate equipments ASAP Even the time wasted trying to salvage will kill the patient and what will the public say again? "You know you don't have facilities and equipment. Why didn't you tell us. You killed my Sister! " So you see