The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday passed the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Bill, which seeks to compel hospitals to treat persons with gunshot wounds.
The bill, which was sent to the Senate by the House of Representatives for concurrence, seeks to establish a law that ensures that victims of gunshot wounds receive necessary treatment from medical workers and assistance from security agencies.
Remarking on the bill, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, noted that not every person shot was a criminal. He stated that it was important that a legal framework be put into place to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.
According to Saraki, the highlights of the bill are:
“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 gunshot wound.
“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 treatment.
“no person with a bullet wound shall be subject to inhuman treatment or torture by any person in authority. This includes the police and security agencies.”
Senator Saraki said, “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.”
