Federal Government Orders Hospitals to Provide Immediate Care to Gunshot Victims, No Police Clearance Required
The Federal Government has issued a directive mandating that both public and private hospitals across the country provide immediate medical care to gunshot victims, regardless of whether they present a police clearance.
The announcement was made by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare via the ministry’s official social media handle on Saturday.
This urgent directive was signed by the ministry’s Director of Information, Patricia Deworitshe, following growing concerns over the refusal by some healthcare facilities to treat gunshot victims who do not have police reports. Such refusals have led to preventable deaths, prompting the need for action.
The directive comes on the heels of instructions from Professor Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and aims to address the alarming trend of medical facilities denying treatment to gunshot victims. It also reminds healthcare providers of their legal obligations under the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017, which stipulates that hospitals must provide emergency treatment to gunshot victims without requiring a police report.
“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 who do not present police reports,” the statement noted, highlighting the critical need for urgent medical intervention in such cases.
The ministry condemned the failure of some healthcare facilities and security agents to comply with the Act, underlining that every citizen, including security personnel, is legally obligated to assist gunshot victims and ensure they receive immediate medical care. “Every hospital, whether public or private, is required to accept gunshot victims and provide adequate treatment, with or without police clearance,” the statement emphasized.
Professor Muhammad Pate further stressed that healthcare providers must adhere strictly to the law, ensuring that gunshot victims are treated promptly to prevent unnecessary loss of life. The ministry also pledged to introduce measures to enforce compliance with the law.
Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has called on the Nigerian Police Force to support this initiative by enforcing the law, ensuring that hospitals are reassured that treating gunshot victims is both legal and encouraged under Nigerian law.
This directive is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve emergency medical care for victims of violence, reduce avoidable deaths, and ensure compliance with the Gunshot Act 2017 nationwide.
