DO YOU KNOW SERIES PT. 2
Did you know that gunshot victims must in accordance to law be provided medical treatment even without a police report?
Hi my amazing reader, it’s the second edition of our very interesting do you know series. If you haven’t gotten around to reading the previous edition, oya go back after reading this.
Now unto episode 2, did you actually know that under law, gunshot victims must be provided medical treatment without a report from the police and even without any initial monetary deposit for care. Oya let’s backtrack small to understand what was tenable before.
A gunshot wound (GSW) is a penetrating injury caused by a bullet from a gun or firearm and damages may include bleeding, bone fracture, organ damage, wound infection or in severe cases death. Before 2017, gunshot victims could not access healthcare service without the production of a police report which detailed the circumstances of the injury and the events leading to it. It an undisputed fact that gun violence is now a recurring phenomenon in Nigeria today.
Oftentimes, the general assumption is that gunshot injuries are often sustained primarily through criminal activities or illegality and while that may be true to a large extent, no one takes the time or care to actually distinguishes the victim of the crime and the criminal. Thus, it leaves victims or even the criminal as the case may be neglected of medical care and eventual death if not properly handled. For the criminal, it is a sad reality as he cannot be dealt with for his offence under the law and for the victim, an even sadder reality.
Gunshot injuries has been categorised as requiring emergency care and medical treatment provided by the National Health Act 2014 and every medical professional or facility has the onerous duty to preserve and save lives even that of a criminal. Hence, by the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017, it mandates that all medical facilities public and private are to receive and accept victims of gunshot for immediate treatment without a police report and compulsory initial financial deposit for their treatment. Even though the initial presumption was that treatment without a police report will hamper police investigations, by the new legislation, it provides a reporting system mandating that medical facilities actually report the matter to the nearest police station within two hours of receiving the gunshot victim. Although the extent to compliance by medical facilities can be better, proper education and enlightenment will go in along way in aiding better implementation across board.
And now you know. I trust that you enjoyed this edition. Please give a clap or many claps and kindly share with others as well. Let’s spread this knowledge guys.
What’s your opinion about this development in the law?
Do you think it is a step in the right direction or another legislation suffering from severe implementation?
