On Tuesday, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, voiced concerns regarding the widespread non-adherence to the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017 across medical facilities.
Pate emphasized that gunshot victims fall under medical emergencies necessitating immediate attention to save lives.
The Act, signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari, mandates all hospitals in Nigeria, whether public or private, to accept and provide immediate and adequate treatment to gunshot victims without requiring police clearance.
However, a statement released by the Director of Information at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Patricia Deworitshe, highlighted a concerning trend where some health facilities are refusing to attend to gunshot victims and victims of one-chance crimes without police reports.
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The statement underscored the urgency of attending to gunshot victims, stating that failure to do so could lead to loss of lives.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare expressed disappointment at the slow or non-compliance of medical facilities with the Gunshot Act 2017.
In response, the Ministry called on all medical practitioners to adhere to the national law by promptly providing treatment and care to gunshot victims.
It also assured that strategies are being developed to ensure compliance with the Act across Nigerian healthcare facilities.
The Minister further urged the Police to enforce the provisions of the Act swiftly.
He emphasized that treating gunshot victims is not illegal and reassured health facilities of their legal mandate to provide such treatment.
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