Vincent @Vincent14003151 - Twitter Profile

I just heard that Governor Alex Otti has taken a bold and compassionate step by ordering all hospitals in the state to treat patients first and ask for payment only after saving their lives. This policy puts human dignity above profit and tackles a painful reality. You will agree with me that many Nigerians have died because emergency rooms turned them away for lacking cash or health insurance. Data from the National Emergency Medical Services Committee shows that up to 30% of avoidable deaths in Nigerian hospitals happen within the first 24 hours due to delayed treatment over payment disputes. Compared to states like Lagos or Rivers, where no such binding directive exists, Abia now leads in prioritizing emergency care. This move also aligns with global best practices. Countries like Rwanda and Ghana have reduced maternal and trauma deaths by up to 40% after adopting similar “treat first, pay later” rules in public hospitals. I endorse this gesture. It is rare for any governor to directly challenge the entrenched culture of “no money, no care” that has cost countless lives. Gov. Otti’s directive is a moral reset for Abia’s healthcare system. However, the government must back it up with swift reimbursement mechanisms for hospitals and strict penalties for violations. Comparative analysis shows why this is essential. A study from Enugu State found that after a similar “treat first” order, unpaid emergency bills rose by over 60% within six months, & small private hospitals nearly closed because they were left to absorb costs alone. Without a state fund to reimburse hospitals for treating poor patients who cannot pay later, this good policy could face the same fate. If Gov. Otti pairs his order with such a backup fund, perhaps from savings on ghost workers or a small part of the health budget, Abia can become a true model for Nigeria. For now, I think Governor Alex C. Otti deserves high praise for choosing life over ledger books. This is leadership that puts the poorest citizen on the same footing as the richest when their heart stops or their lungs fail. Kudos to him. © 2026 Emenike Vincent Onyembi (EVO) is a policy development analyst based in Abuja. 📩 [email protected]