The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has directed all federal tertiary hospitals to treat casualties of civil unrests brought to the hospitals without any delay.
Ehanire gave the directive in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Abdullaziz Abdullahi on Thursday in Abuja.
Abdullahi said that the minister considered the need for the hospitals to engage in emergency medical services as a result of the civil unrests in some parts of the country.
“The minister considered the need and directed that casualties arriving at Federal Tertiary Hospitals with evocative injuries should not be rejected on account of inability to pay for service.
“All such persons are to receive treatment without delay. This administration places priority on the health and wellbeing of the citizens and is committed to ensuring that lives are not lost needlessly.’’
Meanwhile, Ehanire has underscored the need for the citizens to still adhere, under all conditions, to the non-pharmaceutical measures aimed at curtailing the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
He advised the people stick to the use of face masks and hand sanitisers, as well as observe physical distancing to preserve the gains made in stemming community transmission of COVID-19 in the country.
“Federal Ministry of Health reiterates that continuation of routine service delivery is imperative, using a high index of suspicion for COVID-19, to ensure staff protection from infection, considering the ease of transmission.
“Chief Executive Officers of all Federal Tertiary Hospitals are to note this directive for immediate compliance please,’’ he said.
