Nigeria, Nov. 6 -- The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has rejected a proposed amendment to the National Health Act that would impose a six-month jail term or a fine of up to N300,000 on healthcare professionals and facilities for delays in emergency medical treatment.

The association described the proposed sanctions as punitive, arguing that doctors should not be held criminally responsible for failures arising from inadequate funding, poor hospital infrastructure and shortages of medical personnel.

In a statement issued on Thursday, NARD said it supported efforts to ensure prompt emergency care but opposed legislation that failed to address the conditions under which healthcare professionals work.

The association's re...