The federal ministry of Health and Social welfare has compelled all hospitals in Nigeria to treat any gunshot victims with or without a police report.
The ministry in a statement signed by its Director of Information, Patricia Deworitshe stated that denying any gunshot victim with or without police report treatment is a violation of the gunshot Act 2017.
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According the statement,
“Gunshot victims come under medical emergencies that require urgent attention in order to save the life of the patient or victim. It has come to the knowledge of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social welfare, of the slow or non- compliance by most medical facilities going contrary with the gunshot Act 2017 which mandates all medical facilities to provide for the compulsory treatment and care for victims of gunshots; and related matters.”
The statement reads further that,
“the Act goes further to stipulate that – In recent times, the society has witnessed a rise in the loss of lives as a result of the refusal of some health facilities to attend to gunshot and victims of one-chance who do not present police reports.”
The statement reads that part of the provisions of the gunshot is that every hospital in Nigeria whether public or private shall accept or receive for immediate and adequate treatment with or without police clearance.
“Every person including security agents shall render every possible assistance, to any person with gunshots wounds and ensure that the person is taken to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment.”
Also, stated that it is concerned about the spate of gunshot incidences and refusal of some of the health facilities to administer treatment and care for the victim or patient without police report.
“The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, therefore calls on all medical practitioners to comply with this national law by providing prompt treatment and care for these victims to prevent death while, strategies are being put in place by the Ministry to ensure compliance to the Act by Nigerian healthcare facilities.
“The police is also urged to comply with and enforce the provisions of the compulsory treatment and care for victims of gunshot ACT 2017 with promptness as well as reassure the health facilities that treatment of gunshot victims is not illegal.” The statement reads.