Health Minister Raises Alarm Over Non-Compliance with Compulsory Treatment Law for Gunshot Victims
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has expressed grave concern regarding the widespread non-compliance with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017 across medical facilities in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Information at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Patricia Deworitshe, Prof. Pate highlighted the urgency of providing immediate and adequate treatment to gunshot victims, emphasizing their status as medical emergencies requiring urgent attention to save lives.
The Act mandates all hospitals, regardless of their public or private status, to accept and provide immediate treatment to individuals with gunshot wounds, irrespective of police clearance. Furthermore, it obligates all individuals, including security agents, to render assistance and ensure that gunshot victims are promptly taken to the nearest medical facility for treatment.
Despite these legal provisions, recent incidents have seen a disturbing rise in fatalities due to the refusal of some health facilities to attend to gunshot victims and individuals involved in one-chance incidents without police reports.
Prof. Pate reiterated the importance of compliance with the law, stressing that the refusal to provide treatment to gunshot victims contravenes the Gunshot Act 2017 and poses a significant risk to public health and safety.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is taking proactive measures to address this issue, with Prof. Pate calling on all medical practitioners to adhere to the national law by promptly administering treatment and care to gunshot victims.
Additionally, Prof. Pate urged the police to enforce the provisions of the Act promptly, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between healthcare facilities and law enforcement agencies to ensure the timely treatment of victims.
In conclusion, Prof. Pate reassured health facilities across the country that providing treatment to gunshot victims is not illegal, urging them to fulfill their obligation under the law to prevent unnecessary loss of lives.
