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A Bill for a Law to prohibit Medical Detention in Imo State and for other related matters has scaled through Second Reading at the Imo State House Of Assembly.
This is the outcome of the House Plenary activity on Thursday 25/09/2025, and is titled "Imo State Medical Detention Prohibition Law".
Leading the debate on the Bill, the Chief Sponsor and Member Representing Obowo State Constituency, Rt Honourable Barrister Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh, explained that the practice of detaining patients in hospitals over failure to offset their Medical bills have become an anomaly, which requires immediate redress.
He noted that it was dehumanizing and an infringement on Human Rights, adding that there should be a balance which would accommodate people's dignity.
In his words, he said, *"this Bill touches on the fundamental Human Rights. We have people who have become incarcerated in hospitals due to their inability to pay hospital bills. We should, therefore, have laws that have direct bearing on the lives of our people".
Throwing more light, Rt Honourable Kennedy Ibeh further said *"the Bill has 15 sections, and when passed into Law, will be cited as the Imo State Medical Detention Prohibition Law. The Bill first came as a Motion here on the floor of the House, and after extensive debate, we passed a Resolution. However, the Resolution has no Force of Law, hence I went back to the drawing board, and today, we have this Bill".*
Beckoning on his Honourable Colleagues to lend their voices in support of the Bill, the Prolific Lawmaker listed the benefits of the Bill when passed into Law :
1. This Law will alleviate the suffering of Imo indigenes, by providing the enabling Law that will equip the Security and Judicial Architecture of Imo State, to combat unfair and unlawful medical detention.
2. This Law will compliment the efforts of Imo State Government, through the Imo State Health Insurance Scheme that is geared towards meeting the Universal health coverage 2030 goal.
3. This Law will boost the reputation of Imo State in the Human Rights Protection Compliance Index, and so position Imo for enhanced International Grants, that require Human Rights Protection to access same.
4. This Law will increase life expectancy in Imo State, improve the well-being of the common man and guarantee accessibility to healthcare.
5. This Law, when Passed, will reposition Imo State Health sector, by providing regulations for healthcare providers to follow, preventing unlawful medical detention due to debt.
The Bill was cosponsored by the following lawmakers :
1. Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Deputy Speaker (Nwangele).
2. Hon Uche Francis Agabige (Orsu).
3. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala Mbano)
4. Hon Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli).
5. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri-West).
6. Hon Johnleoba Iheoha (Ikeduru)
7. Hon Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu (Oguta).
8. Hon Emeka Kingsley Ozurumba (Isu)
9. Hon Johnson Duru (Ideato-South).
10. Hon Ikenna Martin Ihezuo (Orlu).
11. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie (Aboh-Mbaise).
12. Hon Ozioma Worship Benneth Ebonine (Njaba).
13. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri (Oru-East).
14. Hon Francis Uzoma Osuoha (Ohaji-Egbema).
The following lawmakers supported the Bill through robost debate and contribution :
1. Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre).
2. Hon Chief Kanayo Onyemaechi, Majority Leader (Owerr-West).
3. Hon Engr Uche Francis Agabige (Orsu).
4. Hon Chief Ozioma Worship Benneth Ebonine (Njaba).
5. Hon Barrister Ikenna Martin Ihezuo (Orlu).
Following extensive debate in support of the Bill, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, who presided, announced it has scaled through Second Reading, and thereafter assigned it to the House Committee On Health, directing them to submit their report on the 28th of October 2025.
Mr Speaker, who described the Bill as a Public Oriented Bill directed the Clerk to set a date for a public hearing on the Bill.