The House of Representatives is urging the Federal Ministry of Health to take decisive action against hospitals and healthcare facilities that refuse to treat accident or gunshot victims without a police report. This call to action comes after Rep. Odianosen Okojie (APC-Edo) presented a motion during the plenary on Tuesday in Abuja.
Okojie highlighted the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, which mandates all hospitals to provide treatment to gunshot victims, with or without police clearance. He emphasized the legal obligation of hospital managements to report to the nearest police station within hours of commencing treatment on the victim.
The Act also outlines severe penalties for any individuals or authorities whose negligence leads to the unnecessary death of a gunshot victim. Okojie underscored the critical importance of immediate medical attention for accident or gunshot victims, stressing that hospitals and healthcare facilities have a moral and legal duty to preserve human life under all circumstances.
Despite the legal provisions for compulsory treatment, there has been a disturbing trend of medical personnel refusing to treat victims due to the absence of police reports. This denial of medical assistance not only goes against the ethical principles of the medical profession but also infringes upon the universal right of individuals to access healthcare.
The motion acknowledges the challenges faced by patients in obtaining prompt police reports, especially in emergency situations where the severity of injuries or the absence of law enforcement at the scene hinder the process. The refusal of hospitals to provide immediate treatment to patients without a police report is a cause for global concern and a direct violation of medical ethics and professional conduct.
The plea from the House of Representatives resonates across borders, urging healthcare facilities worldwide to prioritize the urgent medical needs of accident and gunshot victims without unnecessary delays or bureaucratic obstacles.
