Take Decisive Action Against Hospitals Refusing To Treat Accidents And Gunshot Victims – Reps Task FG

The Federal Ministry of Health has been tasked with taking decisive action against hospitals and healthcare facilities refusing to treat accident or gunshot patients without a police report.

The House of Representatives gave the charge following the adoption of a motion by Rep. Odianosen Okojie (APC-Edo) at plenary on Tuesday in Abuja.

Okojie said that the provisions of Section 1 of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 provide that every hospital is to receive and treat victims of gunshot wounds with or without police clearance.

He noted that the sections also state that hospital management is duty-bound to report to the nearest police station within hours of commencing treatment on the victim.

Section 7 of the Act according to the lawmaker states that “any authority or person whose omission results in the unnecessary death of a gunshot victim shall be liable to imprisonment for five years or a fine of N500,000.00 or both”.

The lawmaker added that immediate medical attention is crucial for survival and quality of life for accident or gunshot victims, adding that hospitals and healthcare facilities have an ethical and legal obligation to preserve human life regardless of the circumstances.

He observed that “despite the Act providing for the compulsory treatment and care for victims of gunshots by hospitals in the country, there are rising cases of medical personnel refusing to treat victims due to absence of police reports.

“Also aware that patients requiring emergency medical treatment due to accidents or gunshot injuries usually face denial or delayed access to healthcare services if they fail to present a police report.

“Concerned that many victims of accidents or gunshots are unable to obtain a police report promptly, given the severity of their injuries, the absence of law enforcement at the scene, or other relevant factors beyond their control.

“Worried that the refusal of hospitals to treat patients without a police report is a direct violation of the principles of medical ethics, professional conduct, and the universal right of individuals to access healthcare.”