The Nigeria Bar Association of Nigeria, NBA, has raised concern over the non-implementation of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot by security agencies and healthcare centers.
The body of benchers voiced out the concern during a one-day stakeholders’ dialogue on the Nigerian Bar Association partnership framework on the effective implementation of the Act.
A victim, Ebenezer Ayeni, was shot by armed robbers in his residence on June 11.
He was rejected by two hospitals in Ibadan, Oyo State because there was no police report.
Sadly, Ebenezer died without medical care after two hours of fighting for his life.
Gunshot injuries are generally medical emergencies as every minute counts.
However, thousands of Nigerians have suffered the same fate as the late Ebenezer.
It was to check the trend and uphold the sanctity of life that informed the compulsory treatment and care for victims of the gunshots Act, 2017.
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The Act which came into effect in 2018, mandates all medical facilities to receive and accept victims of gunshot wounds for immediate treatment, without a police report.
But 3 years down the line, hospitals management are ignoring the existing law, as people still die from gunshot wounds, due to refusal to accept such victims by hospitals.
The Abuja Stakeholders’ Dialogue by the Nigerian Bar Association, is aimed at re-awakening hospitals management on the implementation of the existing law.
The Act clearly orders the Nigerian Police to assist any person with gunshot wounds and ensure that the person is taken to a nearby hospital.
Hospitals that receive a victim of a gunshot are also obligated to report to the nearby police station within two hours of commencement of treatment.
Penalties under the act include that a failure by any hospital or medical expert will attract a fine of N100,000 or be liable on conviction to a 6 months jail term.
Also, any person or security officer who fails to perform his or her duty, which leads to the unnecessary death of the victim will be fined N500,000, or imprisoned for 5 years or both.
The punishments under the act also stated that if such ignorance leads to mental or physical damage, the person is liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 15 years and not less than 5 years, without an option of a fine.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark) (Reporter Funke Ogunlolu)
