The Federal Government has ordered public and private hospitals nationwide to provide immediate medical care to gunshot victims, regardless of whether they present police clearance.
This directive, issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, was announced via the ministry’s official X handle on Saturday.
The statement, signed by the Director of Information, Patricia Deworitshe, highlighted growing concerns about hospitals rejecting gunshot victims, which has led to preventable deaths.
The directive follows instructions from the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate.
It stressed that hospitals are legally bound by the ‘Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017’ to provide emergency treatment to gunshot victims without demanding 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 of chance who do not present police reports,” the statement noted.
It further emphasized that emergencies like gunshot injuries require urgent medical attention to save lives, regardless of the circumstances under which the injury occurred.
The ministry condemned non-compliance by some healthcare facilities and security agents, stressing that every citizen, including security personnel, is legally obligated to assist gunshot victims and ensure they are taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.
“It has come to the knowledge of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, of the slow or non-compliance by most medical facilities to provide for the compulsory treatment and care for victims of gunshots, and related matters.
“The Act further goes further to stipulate that; every hospital in Nigeria whether private shall accept or receive for immediate and adequate treatment with or without police clearance.
“Every person including security agents shall render every possible assistance to any person with gunshot wounds and ensure that the person is taken to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment,” the statement reiterated.
Professor Muhammad Pate urged healthcare providers to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Gunshot Act, emphasizing that hospitals must prioritize the prompt treatment of gunshot victims to prevent unnecessary deaths.
He also assured that the ministry would introduce measures to ensure full compliance with the Act.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare called on the Nigerian Police Force to support this initiative by enforcing the law and assuring hospitals that providing treatment to gunshot victims is legal and encouraged under Nigerian law.
With this renewed directive, the government aims to strengthen emergency medical care for victims of violence, reduce avoidable deaths, and foster compliance with the Gunshot Act 2017 across the country.