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Hospitals Defy Law, Neglecting Treatment Of Gunshot Victims — Health Minister Raises Concerns

Published

9 months ago

Feb 6, 2024.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, expressed deep concern on Tuesday regarding the widespread non-compliance with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017 in many medical facilities across Nigeria.

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Highlighting the urgency of attending to gunshot victims, Prof. Pate emphasized that such cases fall under medical emergencies, demanding immediate attention to preserve the lives of the patients or victims.

He stated, “Gunshot victims come under medical emergencies that require urgent attention to save the life of the patient or victim.”

The Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017, mandates every hospital in Nigeria, whether public or private, to accept or receive gunshot victims for immediate and adequate treatment, with or without police clearance.

The Act also dictates that every person, including security agents, must provide all possible assistance to individuals with gunshot wounds, ensuring they are promptly taken to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment.

However, a statement released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Tuesday noted a concerning trend in recent times where some health facilities have refused to attend to gunshot victims and those involved in “one-chance” incidents without police reports.

The statement, signed by Patricia Deworitshe, the Director of Information at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, highlighted the life-threatening consequences of delays in treating gunshot victims.

She noted, “In line with this mandate, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is concerned about the spate of gunshot incidences and the refusal of some of the health facilities to administer treatment and care for the victim or patient without a police report.”

Prof. Pate urged all medical practitioners to adhere to the national law outlined in the Gunshot Act 2017. He emphasized the obligation of medical facilities to provide immediate treatment and care for victims, calling for compliance with the Act.

The Minister also appealed to the police to enforce the provisions of the Act promptly.

In response to the slow or non-compliance by certain health facilities, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is strategizing to ensure broader adherence to the Gunshot Act 2017 by healthcare facilities across Nigeria.

Prof. Pate reiterated, “The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. 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.”

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Prof. Pate reassured health facilities in the country that the treatment of gunshot victims is not illegal and stressed the importance of timely intervention to prevent avoidable deaths.

The Ministry is actively working towards creating an environment where medical practitioners prioritize immediate and adequate care for victims of gunshot incidents.

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