The Federal Government has declared that both public and private healthcare facilities nationwide must attend to victims of gunshots with or without police clearance.

The directive is contained in a statement issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Saturday via its official X handle.

The statement titled ‘Non-Compliance of Medical Facilities on The Gunshot Act 2017’, signed by the Director of Information, Patricia Deworitshe said the ministry had received complaints on rejection of gunshot victims by hospitals nationwide, which had resulted in loss of lives.

It also said the order is on the directive of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Minister, Professor Muhammad Pate.

“In recent times, society has witnessed a rise in the loss of lives as a result of refusal of some health facilities to attend to gunshot victims of chance who do not present police reports,” it said.

According to the statement, gunshot victims come under emergencies that require urgent medical attention to save the lives of patients or victims.

“It has come to the knowledge of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, of the slow or non-compliance by most medical facilities to provide for the compulsory treatment and care for victims of gunshots, and related matters.

“The Act further goes further to stipulate that; every hospital in Nigeria whether private shall accept or receive for immediate and adequate treatment with or without police clearance.

“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 immediate treatment,” it said.

In line with this mandate, the ministry said it is concerned about the spate of gunshot incidences, and the refusal of some health facilities to administer and care for victims or patients without police reports.

“The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Minister, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, therefore calls on all medical practitioners to comply with this national law by providing prompt treatment and care for these victims to prevent death,” it said, adding that strategies are being put in place by the ministry to ensure compliance to the Act by Nigerian healthcare facilities.

It also urged the Nigerian police to comply with and enforce the provisions of the compulsory treatment and care of victims of gunshot in line with Act 2017 with promptness, as well as reassure the health facilities that treatment of gunshot victims is not illegal.