Lagos: The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, has called for improvements in the medical referral system to enhance the outcomes of emergency health conditions. Wasiu highlighted the deficiencies in the current system during an interview in Lagos, emphasizing the need for a more structured approach to patient referrals among hospitals.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Wasiu expressed concern over the lack of adherence to proper referral procedures by many secondary and primary healthcare facilities, including private hospitals. He noted that these lapses often result in suboptimal outcomes during health emergencies. Wasiu pointed out that some hospitals refer patients without prior communication with tertiary institutions to confirm their capacity to handle specific health emergencies.
He stressed the importance of hospitals observing due process by contacting tertiary institutions before referring patients. This step is essential to ensure that the receiving hospital is prepared and can accommodate the incoming patient, thus avoiding scenarios where patients are turned away due to a lack of bed space or necessary facilities.
Wasiu further explained that tertiary hospitals like LUTH have limitations concerning personnel and available facilities. He questioned the feasibility of accommodating additional patients in fully occupied units like the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) without displacing those already receiving care.
Contrasting Wasiu’s perspective, Dr. Gerald Chinasa, a general physician, advocated for a restructuring of the nation’s health emergency response system. Chinasa argued that systemic failures have led to preventable deaths and stressed that tertiary institutions should prioritize saving lives, even in the absence of prior communication about referrals. He acknowledged the necessity for initial contact before patient referrals but underscored the importance of maintaining accessible communication channels for hospitals.
Chinasa noted that many contact numbers provided by tertiary institutions are often unresponsive or unavailable, creating additional challenges in the referral process. He urged these institutions to ensure their contact information is functional and reliable to facilitate better coordination in handling health emergencies.