FG Orders Hospitals across Nigeria to Treat Gunshot Victims Without Police Clearance.
The Federal Government has directed all public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to attend to g¥nsh+t victims without requiring police clearance.
This mandate 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 Gunshot Act 2017, which has led to preventable deaths.
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 gunshot victims who lack police reports.
The statement emphasized the urgent nature of gunshot injuries, 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 gunshot victims promptly, regardless of police clearance.
Additionally, the Act mandates that individuals, including security agents, assist gunshot victims and ensure their swift transportation to the nearest medical facility. The ministry expressed concern over the increasing gunshot 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. The statement also called on the Nigerian Police Force to enforce the Act’s provisions and reassure healthcare providers that treating gunshot victims is lawful.
It noted that the ministry is implementing measures to ensure nationwide compliance with the Act.
