Medical Detentions: Imo Assembly Makes Case For the Reductions of Patients suffering in Hospital for Non Payment Of Bill’s after Discharge
Citizens Samuelson Iwuoha
Imo State House of Assembly moved to removed all issues associated with the Hospital Detainment of patients or deceased due to non or handicap in the payment of bills after treatment.
In his Motion, the Member Representing Obowo State Constituency, Rt Hon. Barr. Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh, said that, the incessant incidences and predicament of Patients who are detained in various Hospitals, describing it as a combatable menace within the Healthcare Market in Imo State.
Hon Ibeh, who is the first and only third term Member in the history of Imo State House Of Assembly, in his Powerful Motion defined Medical Detention practices by Hospitals as the act of Refusing Release of either living patients after Medical discharge is clinically indicated or refusing release of bodies of deceased patients if families are unable to pay their hospital bills.
The experienced lawmaker noted that each additional day that patients are detained in hospital adds to their bills, which he described as exploitation and slavery, and geometrically hinders families ability to obtain the release of such patients.
Giving more reasons for Medical Detention, apart from unpaid medical bills, Rt Hon Kennedy Ibeh, who is also the House Committee Chairman On Public Utilities And Public Safety stated the following, Lack of Insurance coverage, Disputes over treatment or Diagnosis, Legal or Ethical concerns and Patients inability to provide consent or even make decisions.
In his words, “Yes, we know there are hospitals who have spended resources in the course of providing services to patients, but we must craft a balance between ensuring Patients receiving necessary care and respecting their human dignity, while at the same time addressing the Financial and Administrative challenges of such hospitals “.
According to him, while recounting the ordeal of a woman in a hospital who delivered a child through a complicated surgery and at discharge point couldn’t pay N480,000, and was detained for 2 years, until our visit our foundation to the Hospital helped to the release of the already walking and running child, after clearing their accumulated bills”. Ibeh
Accordingly, Hon Kennedy Ibeh further recounted also his foundation earlier visits last month at FMC Children Unit Owerri, whereas he spotted a 3 years old girl who was detained for 8 months, due to her parents inability to pay her hospital bill of N250,000. He said he paid the bill, which enabled the little girl to be released.
While speaking on the Motion, the Ranking member canvassed that the scope of the Imo State Health Insurance Law No 4 Of 2018, which has recorded huge success can be expanded to include policies that will curb the menace of hospital or medical detention. He opined that a Special Trust Fund could also be established for this purpose.
Ibeh further noted that in a lot of climes, Medical (Hospital) detention has been bridged by the enthronement of some strategic policies. According to him, *”the Philippines Medical detention Prohibition Act prescribes the commitment of the Patients to Promissory notes, backed by Guarantors. Then when such Patient reneges, he or she can be arrested on the strength of the crime and now possibly detained”.*
Rt Honourable Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh explained that only Institutions established by Law with Powers to Arrest And Detain, can Detain anyone legally, And that anything contrary is an Illegality, which Medical (Hospital) detention falls into.
The Eloquent lawmaker thereafter appealed to his Honourable colleagues to support him so that the menace which Medical (Hospital) detention has become in the society can be tackled.
The Motion which was seconded by the Chief Whip and Member Representing Oru-East State Constituency, Hon Chigozie Nwaneri was co-sponsored by 12 lawmakers, including : Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, Hon Samuel Otuibe, Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, Hon Johnson Duru, Hon Uche Agabige, Hon Ikenna Ihezuo, Hon Gilbert Nwosu, Hon Chisom Ojukwu, Hon Obinna Egu, Hon Prince will Amuchie and Hon Samuel Ogbunikpa respectively.
In total solidarity with the Chief Sponsor, Hon Samuel Otuibe, Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi and Hon Dominic Ezerioha made significant contributions to support the popular Motion.
Impressed and satisfied with the quality of contributions to the Motion, the Speaker of Imo State House Of Assembly, Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, who presided, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows,
“BE IT RESOLVED By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency, The Governor Of Imo State To Direct The Ministry Of Health To Urgently Develop A Policy That Will Curb Medical Detentions In Imo State”.
The House Members urged the Clerk Barr Mrs Chinelo Emeghara, who was thereafter, directed to communicate the Resolutions to His Excellency the Governor to be adopted as a working document for the State medical service.