The Federal Government has ordered all public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to attend to gunshot victims without requiring police clearance.
This was outlined in a statement from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, shared on its official X handle. Signed by Patricia Deworitshe, the Director of Information, the statement highlighted concerns about the non-compliance with the G¥nsh+t Act 2017, which has led to preventable d3aths.
The directive, issued under the instruction of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, aims to address the growing trend of hospitals rejecting g¥nsh+t victims who lack police reports.
The statement emphasized the urgent nature of g¥nsh+t inj¥ries, categorizing them as emergencies requiring immediate medical attention to save lives. It reiterated the Act’s provision that all hospitals in Nigeria, public or private, must treat g¥nsh+t victims promptly, regardless of police clearance.
Additionally, the Act mandates that individuals, including security agents, assist g¥nsh+t victims and ensure their swift transportation to the nearest medical facility.
The ministry expressed concern over the increasing g¥nsh+t incidents and the reluctance of some healthcare facilities to provide care without police authorization. Professor Pate urged medical practitioners to prioritize life-saving treatment in compliance with the law.