Ekiti directs hospitals to treat gunshot victims without police report

Ekiti State Government has directed hospitals in the state to receive victims of gunshots for immediate treatment in their facilities even without a police report.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, said 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.

Oyebanji gave the directive in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Monday titled, ‘Approval of Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017.

“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,” he said.

The commissioner urged medical personnel, good samaritans and sympathisers not to exercise fear of being implicated for coming to the aid of victims of gunshots.

He assured all health facilities across the state of government support and continuous collaboration for better health care service delivery.