HOUSE OF REPS CALL FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST HOSPITALS/HEALTH FACILITIES REFUSING TREATMENT TO ACCIDENT OR GUNSHOT VICTIMS WITHOUT POLICE REPORT.
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Health and its regulatory agencies to take drastic actions against Hospitals and Health Facilities refusing treatment of accident or gunshot victims without Police report.
This is following a motion moved on the floor of the House today by the Member representing Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Hon. Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie.
The Lawmaker while noting that immediate medical attention plays a critical role in determining the survival and future quality of life for accident or gunshot victims, expressed very serious concerns over the mutiple and reoccurrings deaths occasioned by refusal of some hospitals and health facilities in admiting victims of gunshot or accident due to non availability of Police report.
“This practise by some hospitals, negate section 1 of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017 which emphasizes that, “Every hospital is to receive and treat victims of gunshot wounds with or without police clearance and/or payment of an initial deposit, but are duty bound to report to the nearest police station within two hours of commencing treatment on the victim”, Hon. Okojie stated.
Hon. Okojie while stating that hospitals and healthcare facilities have an ethical and legal obligation to safeguard and preserve human life, regardless of the circumstances, called for adequate sanctions against defaulting health institutions/ health facilities who contravenes Section 7 of the Act that clearly states that “Any authority or person, whose omission results in the unnecessary death of a gunshot victim shall be liable to imprisonment for 5 years or a fine in the sum of N500,000 or both”.
The Lawmaker, in his resolution, called on the Federal Ministry of Health and its regulatory authorities to enforce regulations and take decisive actions to address the issues of hospitals and healthcare facilities refusing to treat accident or gunshot patients without a police report or payment for treatment and the arrival of the victim’s relations.
Also urge the Federal Ministry of Information through the National Orientation Agency to facilitate an awareness campaign to educate the public, hospitals, and healthcare professionals about the importance of providing immediate medical assistance to accident or gunshot victims, regardless of the availability of a police report as well as mandate the Committees on Health Institutions and HealthCare Services to ensure compliance and report back to the House.
Michael Ihaza
Media and Publicity Aide to Hon. Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie,
Member Representing Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency, Edo State. And
Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream).
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