The Federal Government has ordered all public and private healthcare facilities to treat gunshot victims immediately, regardless of police clearance.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare issued this directive, titled “Non-Compliance of Medical Facilities on the Gunshot Act 2017,” on December 7.
Patricia Deworitshe, the Director of Information, said several complaints of hospitals rejecting gunshot victims, leading to preventable deaths, were no longer morally acceptable to the government.
According to the directive, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, wanted healthcare providers to note that “Treating gunshot victims is not illegal.“
“Gunshot injuries are emergencies requiring urgent medical intervention to save lives,” the minister said.
He regretted that some medical facilities were not complying with the Gunshot Act 2017, which mandates “Every person…shall render every possible assistance to any person with gunshot wounds” and ensure they receive care.
The ministry’s statement also called on the Nigerian police to enforce the law and protect hospitals treating gunshot victims.
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