Lagos state government in a statement recently appealed with health care providers, the public and private at large to stop rejecting gunshot victims with the excuse of requiring a police report or evidence of fund before commencing treatment.

The State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi who issued these statements on Sunday, December 29th while reacting to investigations by the Ministry of Health revealing that some health facilities in the State are in the habit of rejecting or delaying care to trauma victims which has in some cases resulted in avoidable loss of lives.

He added that most times this victims are not in the right condition for negotiations as they are usually brought in by good Samaritans.

He urged health clinics, hospitals and health centers to offer comprehensive care to such patient without hindrance in accordance to the Federal Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017.

He commissioner said;

“These deaths would have been avoided if health care providers were conversant with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 which stipulates that victims of gunshot and traumatic accidents should receive immediate treatment when presenting to healthcare facilities”, the Commissioner stated.

“These deaths would have been avoided if health care providers were conversant with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 which stipulates that victims of gunshot and traumatic accidents should receive immediate treatment when presenting to healthcare facilities”.

He went further to say that ;

“Such critical care should include where necessary all measures to stabilize the patient before onward referral to more equipped facilities. Simple procedures such as attempts to arrest bleeding or intravenous fluids could make all the difference to saving life,” 

“With this Act, it has become legally wrong for healthcare providers to delay attending to victims of gunshots and any other trauma under any circumstances. It is in this wise that I want to make it clear that the Lagos State Government will not hesitate to explore this law and to apply suitable sanctions against facilities that contravene the principle and body of the act,”. 

The primary purpose of the act is for such patient to receive immediate medical care as soon as they are brought to the facility.

This will prevent avoidable losses and meet the main aim of doctors which is saving lives.