Senate okays treatment of gunshot victims without tedious police reports, deposits
The Senate has passed a bill that protects gunshot victims in getting immediate treatment at hospitals before obtaining tedious police reports.
The Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Bill was passed on Tuesday.
The passage of the bill is in a bid ensure 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.
Senate President Bukola Saraki said not all gunshot victims are criminals and denying them immediate treatment would continue to lead to unnecessary loss of lives.
He said: “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.
“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.”
