A Bill for a Law to prohibit medical detention in Imo State and for other related matters on Thursday scaled through second reading at the Imo House of Assembly.
The bill, sponsored by the representative of Obowo state Constituency, Mr Kennedy Ibeh, is titled ‘Imo state medical detention prohibition law’.
Leading debate on the bill, Ibeh described the practice of detaining patients over their failure to offset their medical bills as an anomaly requiring immediate redress.
He noted that the act was dehumanizing and an infringement on human rights, adding that a balance should be struck to accommodate people’s dignity.
He said that the bill will also positively alter the rating of the state in all known human rights compliance indices.
The lawmaker added that the passage of the law would position the house as a house of the people who are sensitive to the plights of the masses.
He went on to add that the existence of such a law would enable the state to access funds from the World Bank in support of human rights and other such privileges.
He also said that the sustainable development goal of making healthcare accessible by 2030 would be easier to attain especially with the state’s existing health insurance scheme.
According to the lawmaker, the law would alleviate the suffering of indigent Imo citizens and position the state for international human rights grants.
Supporting the bill, Mr Chisom Ojukwu (APC-Nkwere), said that the law would greatly impact the reputation of the state and attract donor support and health partnerships.
He added that the state would receive more credit for healthcare reforms and boost the health insurance scheme established by the government.
He also said that this would reduce stigma and reduce delays in providing healthcare for sick people who cannot afford to go to hospitals.
Also supporting the Majority Leader, Mr Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West), described the bill as a step in the right direction.
He added that the existing health insurance scheme had already gone a long way in tackling the issue of medical detention in the state.
In his contribution, Mr Uche Agabige (APC-Orsu), said the bill was laudable and depicted the Houses’ goal of making laws that will help the people.
Agabige added that medical detention results in infringement of a patient’s autonomy, psychological effects and strain on the resources of patients.
Bennet Ebonine (APC-Njaba) said that the bill would ensure justice for the people who are denied treatment over failure to make a down-payment for their treatment.
Following more contributions in support of the bill, the Speaker, Mr Chike Olemgbe (Ihitte Uboma), said it has scaled through second reading and assigned it to the House Committee on Health, directing them to submit their report on Oct.28, 2025.
He also directed the clerk to set a date for a public hearing on the bill.
