The Federal Government has issued a directive mandating all public and private hospitals across Nigeria to provide immediate medical care to gunshot victims, even in the absence of police clearance.
The directive, announced by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Saturday via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, follows growing concerns over preventable deaths caused by hospitals rejecting gunshot victims.
Signed by the ministry’s Director of Information, Patricia Deworitshe, the statement disclosed that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, instructed the enforcement of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017.
“Every hospital in Nigeria, whether public or private, is legally obligated to provide immediate and adequate treatment to gunshot victims with or without police clearance,” the statement read.
It condemned non-compliance by healthcare facilities and security agents, adding that lives are being lost due to delays or outright refusal to treat victims. “In recent times, society has witnessed a rise in preventable deaths as some health facilities reject gunshot victims who do not present police reports,” the statement added.
The ministry further emphasized that medical emergencies, including gunshot wounds, demand urgent attention regardless of the circumstances surrounding the injury. “Every person, including security agents, is duty-bound to assist gunshot victims and ensure they are taken to the nearest hospital for treatment,” it said.
Professor Pate reiterated the government’s commitment to preventing avoidable deaths, stressing that hospitals must comply with the provisions of the Gunshot Act. “Healthcare providers must adhere strictly to the Act’s provisions. Hospitals are not only legally allowed to treat gunshot victims but are required to do so without delay,” he stated.
The Federal Ministry of Health also urged the Nigerian Police Force to collaborate with hospitals to ensure smooth enforcement of the directive. It assured medical institutions that treating gunshot victims without police reports is both lawful and encouraged under Nigerian law.
In conclusion, the ministry announced plans to introduce additional measures to ensure full compliance with the Act, aiming
