Owerri — The Imo State House of Assembly yesterday took a bold step towards outlawing the detention of patients and corpses in hospitals over unpaid medical bills, as Barr. Kennedy C. Ibeh, Chairman of PATRRAI and member of the Assembly, led the second reading debate on a bill to prohibit the practice.
“It is a gross violation of human rights to hold patients hostage or seize corpses over unpaid bills. This bill ensures dignity for citizens while giving hospitals lawful means to recover costs.”
Barr. Kennedy C. Ibeh
You will recall that a few months ago, Ibeh had moved a motion condemning the “inhumane” detention of patients certified fit for discharge, as well as the seizure of deceased bodies by hospitals pending settlement of outstanding bills. He described the actions as “gross violations of human rights” that demanded more than mere resolutions.
“Though the motion attracted accolades and support from Members, the unenforceable nature of resolutions quickly became a setback. Hence the urgent need for a piece of legislation,” Ibeh said during the debate. The proposed law, modelled after the Philippines’ Republic Act 9439, popularly known as the Anti-Hospital Detention Law, seeks to protect the rights of patients while providing lawful avenues for healthcare providers to recover costs.
Plans are underway for a public hearing on the bill, which will bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association, hospital administrators, patient rights advocates, civil society groups, legal experts, and members of the public. The hearing, according to Ibeh, is designed to provide a platform for robust dialogue and to ensure that the legislation balances the rights of vulnerable patients with the legitimate financial concerns of healthcare providers.
If successfully passed, the legislation would position Imo State as the first in Nigeria to adopt such a rights-based legal framework, setting a powerful precedent for other states grappling with similar challenges. Observers believe the bill could catalyse a national conversation on the ethics of healthcare delivery and the protection of human dignity in medical practice. It would also signal Imo’s leadership in pioneering reforms that align local laws with global human rights standards, particularly in safeguarding patients and grieving families from additional trauma.
