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The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has raised concerns about medical facilities not adhering to the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017.
According to Pate, victims of gunshots require immediate attention as their condition is a medical emergency that necessitates urgent care to save lives.
The Act, signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari, mandates every hospital in Nigeria, be it public or private, to deliver immediate and adequate treatment to individuals with gunshot wounds, with or without police clearance. Furthermore, it requires that every person, including security agents, provide all possible assistance to individuals with gunshot wounds and ensure their transportation to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment.
A statement from the Director of Information at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Patricia Deworitshe, highlighted the alarming trend of some health facilities refusing to attend to gunshot victims and individuals involved in one-chance incidents without police reports, resulting in an increase in fatalities.
Expressing deep concern over this non-compliance with the Gunshot Act 2017, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare emphasizes the critical nature of providing compulsory treatment and care to gunshot victims. In response, the Ministry is implementing measures to ensure that healthcare facilities in Nigeria adhere to the Act.
Prof. Pate appealed to all medical practitioners to comply with the national law by promptly treating and caring for victims, emphasizing the urgency of preventing avoidable deaths. Additionally, he called on the police to enforce the Act without delay.
The Minister reassured health facilities that providing treatment to gunshot victims is not illegal and urged them to uphold their responsibility in saving lives.
These developments underscore the crucial need for universal adherence to the law and emphasize the significance of timely and comprehensive healthcare for all, particularly in emergency situations.