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By Damiete Braide
Health and legal experts have called for urgent and coordinated action to ensure Nigeria’s emergency care laws are effectively implemented to save lives.
This concern dominated discussions at a webinar organised by Health Ethics and Law Consulting (HELC), through its Health Systems Learning Series.
The session, titled “When Minutes Matter: Implementing the Law on Emergency Care in Nigeria,” brought together stakeholders from government, policy, the private sector, emergency response organizations, and geriatric care to chart a path forward.
Managing Partner of HELC, Prof Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, in her welcome address, stressed that emergency medical care is an unalienable right for every Nigerian citizen. She noted that legal protections exist for accident victims, gunshot victims, pregnant women, and other vulnerable populations.
She noted that “while statutory provisions are clear, the real challenge lies in their translation into practical, life-saving interventions. Citizens cannot rely on paper rights when the system fails to respond in their moments of greatest need.”
Senior Health Specialist at the World Bank, Dr. Olumide Okunola, emphasized that legislation cannot remain theoretical without financial backing. “Health legislation does not just end on paper alone. It must be financed by public funds to enable effective implementation.”
Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said Lagos has developed one of the most advanced healthcare access models in Nigeria.
According to her, the state’s investments in health insurance, emergency response services, and structured financing demonstrate that innovation at state level can serve as a blueprint for scaling emergency care delivery nationwide.
Representing the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Dr. Jennifer Ayanti said private providers are indispensable partners if Nigeria is to achieve its ambitious healthcare goals. “Private sector participation is not just an opportunity, it is a necessity,” she said. “Strong collaboration between public and private actors will accelerate progress in scaling emergency care services.”
Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, Dr. Taofiq Oyedokun, advocated for a mentorship model where Nigerian health professionals abroad share their expertise with local practitioners.
Co-founder of Emergency Response Africa (ERA), Folake Owodunni, called for the creation of a national database for emergency services.
While Oluwadamilola Grillo of Hold The Age Initiative stressed that older citizens require specialized protocols in emergencies. He warned that applying standard emergency procedures to geriatric patients may be ineffective or even harmful.
“Minutes matter in emergencies. Every Nigerian deserves to know that when those minutes come, the system will be ready,” HELC stated.
