The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reiterated its stance on the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017, urging hospitals and healthcare facilities to comply fully with the law. This directive was issued in response to reports of medical facilities refusing to treat gunshot victims who lacked a police report.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, emphasised that the law mandates hospitals to provide immediate and adequate care to gunshot victims without requiring a police report. The ministry condemned the non-compliance of some hospitals and security personnel in fulfilling this obligation.
The Act makes it clear that every hospital in Nigeria, whether public or private, is legally bound to receive and treat gunshot victims, regardless of their circumstances or the presence of police documentation.
The statement further highlighted that the law also obligates security agents to assist individuals with gunshot wounds by ensuring they are promptly taken to the nearest medical facility for treatment.
This reminder comes at a time when gunshot injuries have risen, and the failure to provide urgent medical care in such cases has resulted in unnecessary loss of lives. The ministry’s directive seeks to address the concerning trend of refusal to treat gunshot victims and ensure that the law is upheld, prioritizing the preservation of life above procedural barriers like police reports.