Osun State Government, on Thursday, issued a directive to healthcare professionals in State hospitals and private facilities, ordering them to provide immediate treatment to gunshot victims, even in the absence of a police report.
The State’s Commissioner for Health, Barr. Jola Akintola, disclosed this during an interview held with Journalists in his office in Osogbo.
Recall that the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun recently gave an order regarding the treatment of gunshot victims, with the aim of enforcing the provisions of Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act of 2017, without any delay.
The Commissioner noted that gunshot injuries are medical emergencies where every moment is crucial, in the effort to save the victim’s life, advancing that immediate medical attention is essential to prevent permanent damage or fatality.
He said; “I will like to encourage medical personnel, good samaritans, and sympathizers not to fear any implication for providing assistance to gunshot victims, all hospitals and health care providers in Osun State should treat gunshot victims promptly, as their lives are at stake.
“Not all gunshot victims are criminals, individuals involved in criminal activities have the right to receive medical care.”
“The previous practice of requesting for police report before treatment will no longer be tolerated, as it has resulted in preventable deaths due to hospitals insisting on such documentation.”
