In a united plea, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) have called on hospitals to adhere strictly to the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Wounds Act by treating gunshot victims without the need for police reports.
This appeal was reiterated during interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, following ongoing cases where hospitals have reportedly turned away gunshot victims, citing the absence of police documentation.
Signed into law in 2017, the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Wounds Act mandates that all hospitals, whether public or private, provide prompt treatment to victims of gunshot wounds, without waiting for a police report. Section 7 of the Act imposes severe penalties on any individual or entity whose failure to act leads to the unnecessary death of a gunshot victim, with a possible penalty of five years in prison, a N500,000 fine, or both.
The Nigerian Police Force had earlier issued a circular on October 25, 2023, urging personnel to comply with the law, insisting that no delay in treatment is permissible.
Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, the National President of NARD, strongly condemned the refusal of hospitals to treat gunshot victims, calling it “unacceptable” and in direct violation of both the law and the Federal Ministry of Health’s directive on emergency care.
While speaking on his experience, Dr. Suleiman, who practices in Katsina, said: “Where I practice in Katsina, we treat first. The police pick up the process. Our role as doctors is to save lives—not judge.” He went on to urge citizens to report instances of neglect to relevant authorities for investigation.
Emphasising that rejecting patients in emergency situations is both criminal and unethical, Dr. Suleiman stressed that medical professionals who turn away critically ill patients for monetary reasons must be held accountable. “Offending doctors should be referred to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) disciplinary tribunal for sanctions,” he added. “Our training is anchored on life protection, not profit.”
Dr. Suleiman also commended the Ministry of Health for strengthening emergency response systems and reminded the public that the MDCN tribunal holds powers equivalent to those of the Federal High Court in disciplinary matters.
On the other hand, Mr. Ndagi Alhassan, the Registrar of NMCN, noted that some nurses act in compliance with restrictive hospital policies that contradict federal directives. According to Alhassan, “In some hospitals, policy demands documentation before care, but nurses must prioritise life. With the federal directive, saving the patient comes first, then documentation can follow.”
Alhassan urged nurses to stabilise gunshot victims immediately and only proceed with the paperwork afterward. “That’s the ethical, professional, and lawful approach nurses must follow in life-threatening emergencies,” he concluded.
