Healthcare Standoff: Hospitals Balk At Treating Gunshot Victims Despite Law, Minister Warns

Healthcare Standoff: Hospitals Balk At Treating Gunshot Victims Despite Law, Minister Warns

In a worrisome revelation, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, voiced deep concern on Tuesday over the widespread disregard for the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017, observed in numerous medical facilities across the nation…..Read More Related Story Here Don’t Insist On Police Report Before Saving Lives – Health Minister Pate Sends Message To Hospitals

Prof. Pate underscored that individuals suffering from gunshot wounds fall within the category of medical emergencies, necessitating immediate attention to preserve their lives.

Enacted into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017 mandates every hospital in Nigeria, regardless of ownership (public or private), to promptly and adequately attend to individuals with gunshot wounds, irrespective of the presence or absence of police clearance. Additionally, the Act enjoins all citizens, including security personnel, to extend all necessary assistance to such individuals and ensure their expeditious transportation to the nearest medical facility for urgent treatment.

However, recent incidents have highlighted a disturbing trend where certain healthcare institutions have refused to provide medical care to gunshot victims and individuals involved in one-chance incidents without prior police reports.

In a statement issued by the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Patricia Deworitshe, Prof. Pate reiterated the urgent need for medical practitioners to adhere to the provisions of the Gunshot Act 2017, emphasizing the imperative of immediate treatment and care for such victims to avert unnecessary loss of lives.

Expressing dismay over the growing frequency of gunshot-related incidents and the reluctance of some healthcare facilities to intervene, Prof. Pate called upon all healthcare professionals to uphold the national law by promptly administering treatment and care to affected individuals, pending the implementation of strategies by the Ministry to ensure compliance across Nigerian healthcare establishments.

Furthermore, the Minister urged law enforcement agencies, particularly the Police, to diligently enforce the provisions of the Act without delay.

Prof. Pate reaffirmed that providing medical assistance to gunshot victims is not only a moral obligation but also a legal imperative, reassuring healthcare facilities nationwide that their adherence to this mandate is lawful and supported by the government.