The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has raised alarm over the widespread non-compliance with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, among medical facilities across Nigeria.
Expressing grave concern, the minister emphasized that gunshot victims constitute medical emergencies warranting immediate attention to safeguard lives.
Signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Act mandates all hospitals, both public and private, to provide immediate and adequate treatment to gunshot victims, regardless of police clearance.
In a statement issued by the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Patricia Deworitshe, the minister decried the increasing loss of lives due to the refusal of some health facilities to attend to gunshot victims in the absence of police reports.
“Gunshot victims come under medical emergencies that require urgent attention to save the life of the patient or victim,” the statement reiterated, highlighting the urgency of providing timely medical care.
The Ministry expressed dismay over the slow or non-compliance observed in many medical facilities, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the Gunshot Act 2017.
In response to the concerning trend, the Ministry is taking proactive measures to ensure compliance with the Act by Nigerian healthcare facilities.
The statement called upon all medical practitioners to adhere to the national law by promptly administering treatment and care to gunshot victims, underscoring the critical role of healthcare providers in preventing avoidable deaths.
Furthermore, the minister urged the Police to enforce the provisions of the Act diligently, emphasizing the collaborative effort needed to safeguard the lives of gunshot victims across the nation.
