“Doctors who reject gunshot victims risk 5-year jail term” – Police Commissioner
Lagos State Police Commissioner, Edgal Imohimi has said hospitals that reject gunshot victims violate ‘Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims Of Gunshot Act, 2017’.
The Act, according to the police boss, demands that “every hospital in Nigeria whether public or private shall accept or receive for immediate and adequate treatment with or without police clearance any person with a gunshot wounds.”
The Act, however, requires the hospital treating such patients to report the case to the nearest police station within two hours of commencement of treatment.
He said doctors should note that the Act recommends a 5-year-jail term for any person, hospital or authority who stands by or omits to do his bit which results in the unnecessary death of any person with bullet wounds.
Imohimi said the police will, henceforth, arrest and diligently prosecute any medical practitioner who rejects a gunshot victim on the ground of no police report.
