Today, the Nigerian Senate passed the Compulsory
Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Bill. The Bill, which was sent
to the Senate 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.
Speaking
on the passage of the Bill, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, stated
that not every victim of a gunshot wound is a criminal, hence, it is
important that a legal framework be put into place to avoid unnecessary
loss of lives.
“By the passage of this Bill, the Senate has moved to
ensure that every hospital in Nigeria, both public and private, must
accept to treat victims of gunshot wounds without any clearance from the
police. 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.”
The
Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Bill also ensures
that 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. Additionally, the Bill
mandates that no person with gunshot wounds shall be refused immediate
and adequate treatment by any hospital in Nigeria whether or not initial
monetary deposit is paid.
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