Ekiti State Government has ordered hospitals in the state to receive victims of gunshots for immediate treatment in their facilities even without a police report.
The directive was disclosed in a statement titled, ‘Approval of Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017′, issued by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, in Ado Ekiti on Monday, October 30.
Filani noted that the directive followed the order of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on the treatment of gunshot victims and to comply with and enforce the provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act of 2017 without any hesitation.
The statement read in part, “Gunshot injuries are generally a medical emergency where minute counts in the fight to preserve the life of the victim. The victim requires urgent medical attention to avoid permanent damage or death of the victim.”
The commissioner further urged medical personnel, good samaritans and sympathisers not to exercise fear of being implicated for coming to the aid of victims of gunshots.
He added that all health facilities across the state of government support and continuous collaboration for better health care service delivery.
