Lagos State government has directed medical practitioners in the state to stop rejecting victims of gunshot wounds and other trauma patients.
The directive was given in a statement made yesterday, December 29, 2019, by the Lagos Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, who said that human lives should be the top priority irrespective of the circumstances.
The Commissioner stated that it is wrong and illegal for medical personnel to delay administration of treatment to victims of gunshot wounds, adding that the excuse of asking for a police report or the need to provide funds before attending to them will no longer be tolerated in the state.
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.
“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.Akin Abayomi – pulse.ng
