House of Reps Urges Action Against Hospitals Refusing Treatment to Accident and Gunshot Victims

The House of Representatives is pushing for the Federal Ministry of Health to take decisive action against hospitals and healthcare facilities that refuse to treat accident or gunshot patients without a police report.

This comes after the adoption of a motion by Rep. Odianosen Okojie (APC-Edo) at plenary on Tuesday in Abuja.

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

Furthermore, the hospital management is duty-bound to report to the nearest police station within hours of commencing treatment on the victim.

This resolution comes in light of rising cases of medical personnel refusing to treat victims due to the absence of a police report.

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

Immediate medical attention is crucial for survival and quality of life for accident or gunshot victims. Hospitals and healthcare facilities have an ethical and legal obligation to preserve human life regardless of the circumstances.

The House of Reps has urged the Federal Ministry of Health to enforce regulations prohibiting hospitals from denying or delaying emergency medical care to victims of accidents or gunshot wounds without a police report and impose appropriate sanctions and penalties.

Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Information, through the National Orientation Agency, has been urged to organize a campaign to educate the public, hospitals, and healthcare professionals about the necessity of immediate medical assistance for accident or gunshot victims.

The House of Reps is taking a strong stance to ensure that everyone gets the care they need, and that hospitals and healthcare facilities adhere to their ethical and legal obligations to preserve human life.