The Bill, which was sent to the Senate for Concurrence, seeks to establish a law that ensures that victims of gunshot wounds receive necessary treatment from medical workers and assistance from security agencies.
Speaking on the passage of the Bill, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, stated that not every victim of a gunshot wound is a criminal, hence, it is important that a legal framework be put into place to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.
“By the passage of this Bill, the Senate has moved to ensure that every hospital in Nigeria, both public and private, must accept to treat victims of gunshot wounds without any clearance from the police,” the Senate President said, “What we have done is to ensure that everyone is entitled to medical treatment, irrespective of the cause of the shooting. We should reserve judgment for the criminal justice system, and leave healthcare for the medical professionals.”
The Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Bill also ensures that every person including security agents shall render every possible assistance to any person with gunshot wounds and ensure that the person is taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Additionally, the Bill mandates that no person with gunshot wounds shall be refused immediate and adequate treatment by any hospital in Nigeria whether or not initial monetary deposit is paid.
Other Bills that the Senate passed on Tuesday which will be forwarded to the President for assent include: Animal Health and Husbandry Technologies (Registration, etc) Bill, 2017 (HB. 320); Corporate Manslaughter Bill, 2017 (HB. 273); National Child Protection and Enforcement Agency Bill, 2017 (HB. 127); National Intelligence Agency Pension Board Bill, 2017 (HB. 842); Nigerian Academy of Science Bill, 2017 (HB. 917); and the National Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science Bill (HB. 405).
This brings the total number of Bills passed by the 8th Senate since June 9th, 2015, to 108 Bills.
*Armed robbers when/if shot can now go to the Hospital for treatment....I think every gunshot victim who goes to the Hospital should be detained after or during treatment and the Police called in to interrogate the person.......
What about car accident victims treatment
ReplyDeleteNice one 👏👏👏
ReplyDeleteGood one
ReplyDeleteAs a medical personnel, I always did the sensible and humanitarian thing to do. Treat the patients, took my history and when the "story does not agree" with the injury, called in the police to do their own side of the work. It was a risk I took because as I noticed eventually, some of the "suspected robbers" were actually either police or in cahoot with the police. So when they settle, you become the target. But you know the unfortunate thing? When the police were called in even in obvious robbery cases in the news, they will say things like; "no fuel . . . we are coming . . . just keep him there . . .etc." Of course they never came and you can't keep a patient who has completed treatment in a health facility.
ReplyDeleteFor abroad they treat all, so no difference here. They should treat all whether thieves or not and let their conscience judge them.
ReplyDeleteBut Nija thieves no get conscience. Anyway it is a good step, i just pray it is not abused
It is not only gunshot wounds, what about stab wounds? One once told me that the massive cut on his forehead and both palms were from "I got drunk and woke up to urinate hit the door frame and fell etc. " I "agreed" and asked for the theater to be made ready and contacted the police. While in the theater for the patient to be brought in, he was no where to be found. He panicked and ran. I saw that panic on his face when I began questioning the wounds. It was apparent that he was stabbed on the forehead and tried to jump a heavily barbed/spiked fence. He was not tall enough to "hit the door frame". And did the police show up? Never!
ReplyDeleteStab wounds also important. See that pretty reporter that died of stab wounds because two hospitals rejected her to get police report.
DeleteStella we need you in the Senate cos that your final comment na the koko. Interrogation/questioning before discharge. However.... knowing Nigerian police 🙄
ReplyDeleteWhat of accident victims?
ReplyDeleteHonestly Stella you're on point, the police should be called (without the knowledge of the victim) in for interrogation before they are discharged.
ReplyDeleteGood one
ReplyDeleteA good step in the right direction.....wow wow
ReplyDeleteGood decision because some of them could be innocent
ReplyDeleteGood one. I know of certain victims of robbery who were denied life saving treatment because they were asked to go and get a police affidavit before treatment.
ReplyDeleteGood one. I know of certain victims of robbery who were denied life saving treatment because they were asked to go and get a police affidavit before treatment.
ReplyDeleteThis is good, first you treat them then call the police.
ReplyDeleteThis bill is long overdue
ReplyDeleteGood move
ReplyDeleteYes gunshot would still be reported but we don't have to wait to see the police report before starting treatment. Makes sense
ReplyDeleteMany innocent people have lost their lives through this ancient law of lord luggard era. A donbraye Akanbou I knew in port Harcourt died many years ago. Went to sec school with him before going abroad. Many others but this dude was known , ex shell kid.
ReplyDelete