The Osun State House of Assembly has moved to impose a N100,000 fine on any hospital that fails to report gunshot victims to the police, a proposal that has generated widespread discussion across the state. The proposal was made during deliberations on a new bill, titled “Osun State Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Bill 2025,” which seeks to regulate the handling of gunshot injuries in medical facilities across the state.
The bill was discussed on Tuesday, with lawmakers focusing on ensuring that gunshot victims receive immediate medical care while also making sure that the incidents are reported to the police for investigation. If passed into law, the bill would make it mandatory for hospitals to notify the police within two hours of treating a gunshot victim. This is aimed at ensuring that such incidents are properly investigated and to prevent the abuse of medical facilities for criminal purposes.
During the session, the Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, Mr. Adewale Egbedun, explained the key provisions of the bill. He stated that the bill was designed to strike a balance between ensuring that gunshot victims receive the necessary medical treatment while also guaranteeing that such cases are reported to the authorities for proper investigation.
“The bill provides that any person who arrives at a hospital with gunshot wounds must be reported to the police within two hours of arrival,” Egbedun said. He emphasized that the aim of the bill was not to delay or obstruct the treatment of gunshot victims but to ensure that such incidents are investigated by the police in a reasonable amount of time.
The bill further proposes that any hospital or medical facility that fails to report a gunshot victim to the police within the stipulated time will face a fine of N100,000. Additionally, doctors or healthcare providers who are found guilty of treating gunshot victims without notifying the police will also be liable to a fine of N100,000, six months imprisonment, or both.
The issue of gunshot wounds and their treatment in Nigerian hospitals has long been a contentious topic, particularly in regions with high rates of violent crime. While hospitals are expected to provide urgent care to victims of gunshot wounds, there are concerns about the potential for abuse, where criminal elements might use healthcare facilities to avoid law enforcement by concealing injuries or trying to hide from the authorities.
The bill aims to address this by ensuring that gunshot injuries are treated promptly while also guaranteeing that hospitals are not used as safe havens for criminals. By reporting these cases to the police, authorities would be able to investigate the circumstances surrounding the injuries, which could potentially lead to the apprehension of those involved in violent crimes.
However, the bill has raised concerns among some medical professionals, who worry that it could interfere with the doctor-patient relationship and deter people from seeking medical treatment in the event of a shooting. Doctors may be concerned about their role in ensuring the privacy and safety of their patients, especially in cases where gunshot victims are involved in criminal activities or fear retaliation from armed groups.
The Osun State House of Assembly’s bill is seen as a response to similar legislative measures passed by the Nigerian Senate. The Senate had previously passed a law requiring hospitals to report gunshot victims to the police, but the bill was yet to be fully enforced across all states. The Osun bill is an effort to domesticate and implement this policy at the state level, providing a framework that holds medical practitioners accountable while also ensuring that public safety is prioritized.
Mr. Adewunmi Adeyemi, a lawmaker representing the Obokun Constituency, explained that the bill was intended to bring the state in line with national standards. “The bill is part of our efforts to domesticate the compulsory treatment of gunshot victims as mandated by the Senate,” Adeyemi said during his contribution to the deliberations. His remarks pointed to the growing recognition of the need for states to take proactive steps in managing gunshot cases, which have become a regular feature of criminal activities across the country.
The proposed bill has sparked mixed reactions from the public. While some residents of Osun State have applauded the bill as a necessary step towards tackling crime and ensuring that medical facilities are not abused by criminals, others have raised concerns about its potential negative impact on the healthcare system.
Supporters of the bill argue that it will help curb the rising tide of violence in the state and ensure that those responsible for criminal acts involving firearms are brought to justice. “This is a good move. It will help the police catch the criminals who are shooting people in our communities,” said Mr. Olumide Adebayo, a local resident in Osogbo, the state capital.
However, critics are worried about the implications for healthcare providers and patients. “We all know that the police are not always trusted by the public. If victims fear that going to the hospital will lead to their arrest or victimization, they might avoid seeking treatment altogether,” said Dr. Ifeoma Aderonke, a medical practitioner in the state. Dr. Aderonke also pointed out that while the law may help with law enforcement, it could discourage some gunshot victims from seeking urgent medical attention, especially those who might be involved in violent situations.
Healthcare workers, particularly in conflict-prone regions, are often faced with the dilemma of balancing their ethical duty to save lives with the legal obligation to report crimes. Some doctors have expressed concern that the bill could place them in difficult positions, where they might be required to report victims of violent crimes without proper consideration of their medical confidentiality.
Dr. Bola Are, another doctor based in Osogbo, highlighted that the focus should be on saving lives first and foremost. “While the police have an important role to play in investigating crime, our first responsibility as healthcare providers is to preserve life. We need to find a way to ensure both are addressed without compromising the patient’s well-being,” Are said.
The Osun House of Assembly has adjourned the session to April 22, 2025, to continue deliberating on the bill. Lawmakers will likely consider feedback from medical professionals, law enforcement agencies, and the general public before making any further amendments to the proposed legislation.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it is expected to face scrutiny from various stakeholders, including health advocacy groups and legal experts. Whether the bill can strike a balance between public health and security concerns will be key to its successful implementation.
In the meantime, Osun residents and medical professionals will be watching closely to see how the bill is finalized and whether it will become law in the coming months. The proposal raises important questions about the role of hospitals in managing gunshot injuries, the responsibilities of healthcare workers, and the need for coordinated efforts between the medical community and law enforcement to tackle violence in the state.
