In a decisive move to address the alarming trend of healthcare facilities refusing treatment to gunshot victims, the Nigerian government has mandated that all public and private hospitals across the country must provide immediate medical care, regardless of whether the victims have police clearance.
The directive, issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on December 7, 2024, comes as a response to the growing concerns over hospitals turning away gunshot victims, which has tragically led to an increasing number of preventable deaths.
The Ministry of Health’s statement, titled Non-Compliance of Medical Facilities on The Gunshot Act 2017, emphasizes that the refusal of treatment to gunshot victims has reached an alarming level, prompting the government to take action. The statement was signed by Patricia Deworitshe, the Director of Information at the Ministry.
“The rise in the number of lives lost due to hospitals rejecting gunshot victims has become unbearable,” Deworitshe said in the statement. “We can no longer stand by while preventable deaths occur because hospitals are demanding police clearance before offering life-saving treatment.”
The directive follows a recent surge in complaints from the public about medical facilities rejecting gunshot victims who arrive without police reports. This refusal to treat patients has, in several cases, resulted in the death of individuals who could have otherwise been saved with prompt medical attention.
Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, expressed his concern over the issue, stressing that gunshot injuries are medical emergencies that require immediate attention. “In recent times, society has witnessed a rise in the loss of lives due to health facilities refusing to treat gunshot victims who do not present police reports,” Pate said.
The government’s move underscores the urgency of the situation, as gunshot wounds are often life-threatening and require swift medical intervention. According to the statement, the 2017 Gunshot Act makes it clear that all hospitals, whether public or private, are legally obligated to provide immediate and adequate care to gunshot victims, with or without a police clearance.
“Gunshot injuries do not wait for paperwork,” said Pate. “Every second counts, and we cannot allow bureaucracy to delay critical care that could save lives.”
The Ministry’s statement also highlighted the slow or outright non-compliance by many medical facilities with the provisions of the 2017 Act, which requires hospitals to treat gunshot victims without waiting for police involvement. Despite this law being in place, there has been a disturbing trend where victims are turned away, sometimes leading to fatal consequences.
“The Act stipulates clearly that every hospital, regardless of whether it is public or private, shall accept and provide immediate treatment to gunshot victims, even in the absence of a police report,” the statement read.
The Ministry’s intervention is not only aimed at healthcare providers but also urges security agents and the general public to ensure that gunshot victims are quickly transported to the nearest hospital. “We need the cooperation of all Nigerians to ensure that gunshot victims are given the care they urgently need,” said Deworitshe.
In addition to mandating healthcare facilities to treat gunshot victims without delay, the Ministry also called for stricter enforcement of the law by law enforcement agencies. It reassured hospitals that treating gunshot victims in emergency situations is not only lawful but is also a moral obligation under the Gunshot Act.
The statement comes at a time when gun violence in Nigeria has become an increasing concern, with violent crime, especially armed robbery and terrorism, on the rise in several regions of the country. The refusal to treat gunshot victims without a police clearance has sparked outrage, with many questioning the ethics of hospitals prioritizing bureaucracy over saving lives.
A hospital administrator from Lagos, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, expressed support for the government’s directive. “We understand the importance of following the law, but at the end of the day, human life must come first,” the administrator said. “We are committed to complying with the directive to ensure that no more lives are lost due to delays in treatment.”
The Ministry’s message is clear: treating gunshot victims is not an illegal act, and failure to comply with the law will not be tolerated. Health facilities are urged to abide by the 2017 Act and act swiftly when faced with gunshot victims, without unnecessary delays or demands for police clearance.
As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of insecurity and violence, this directive from the Ministry of Health serves as a critical reminder of the need for unity in ensuring the well-being of all citizens, regardless of their background or circumstances. The government’s emphasis on treating gunshot victims promptly is a step towards saving lives and upholding the fundamental right to healthcare.
