The Federal Government has declared that both public and private healthcare facilities nationwide must attend to victims of gunshots with or without police clearance.
The directive is contained in a statement issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Saturday via its official X handle.
The statement titled ‘Non-Compliance of Medical Facilities On The Gunshot Act 2017’, signed by the Director of Information, Patricia Deworitshe said the ministry had received complaints on rejection of gunshot victims by hospitals nationwide, which had resulted in loss of lives.
It also said the order is on the directive of the Coordinating Minister of Health And Social Welfare Minister, Professor Muhammad Pate.
“In recent times, society has witnessed a rise in the loss of lives as a result of refusal of some health facilities to attend to gunshot victims of chance who do not present police reports,” it said.
“The Coordinating Minister of Health And Social Welfare Minister, 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,” it also urged the Nigerian police to comply with and enforce the provisions of the compulsory treatment and care of victims of gunshot in line with Act 2017 with promptness, as well as reassure the health facilities that treatment of gunshot victims is not illegal.
