Govt gazettes Medical Services Act

By Staff Reporter | 5h ago

Nick Mangwana, said the amendment marked a significant milestone in protecting the constitutional right to emergency medical treatment.

Government has gazetted amendments to the Medical Services Act that compel private health institutions to admit and stabilise patients with life-threatening emergencies for at least 48 hours, regardless of their ability to pay

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent secretary, Nick Mangwana, said the amendment marked a significant milestone in protecting the constitutional right to emergency medical treatment.

“The amendment to the Medical Services Act introduces a binding emergency treatment obligation. Private health institutions must now admit any patient with a life-threatening emergency for at least 48 hours to stabilise them before transfer, even if the patient cannot afford care,” Mangwana said.

He added that the legislation also creates a framework for collaboration between public and private healthcare providers during emergencies.

“The minister may also request private facilities to provide specialist services for public emergency patients during public crises. Cost-recovery agreements can be made with the State or patients,” he said.

Mangwana noted that the law contains strict penalties for non-compliance to ensure that emergency patients are not denied treatment because of financial constraints.

“Heads of private institutions, or practitioners acting without authority, who refuse such emergency admission face fines of up to level 8 or imprisonment for up to one year. This provision effectively bars private facilities from turning away critical emergency cases based solely on inability to pay,” he said.

The amendments, which have now been gazetted, introduce a legally binding obligation on private healthcare facilities to provide emergency treatment before any transfer to another institution.