Physicians and medical workers in Nigerian Hospitals across the country can now treat gun shot wounds without first requesting for a police report before commencing treatment on any victim.
This was made known by Senator Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate). He made this known to State House correspondents in Abuja on Friday while stating that President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 into law alongside other five bills.
The five other bills are
The Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment) Amendment Act, 2017;
The Anti-Torture Act 2017;
The Federal Capital Appropriation Act;
The Federal Capital Territory Water Board (Establishment) Act 2017;
and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (Establishment) Act 2017.
Senator Enang stated that the Gunshot Act specifically stipulates that a person with gunshot shall be received for immediate and adequate treatment by any hospital in Nigeria with or without initial monetary deposit. A person with gunshot wound shall not be subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment or torture by any person or authority, including the police and other security agencies,” he explained.
On Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment) Amendment Act, 2017, Enang said the NDDC Act also included the gas producing and gas processing companies in the list of agencies that were contributing to the Niger Delta Development Commission, in addition to oil companies to increase funding of the commission for effective discharge of its duties.
He added that “previously, the NDDC Act excluded gas companies. The Act makes it explicit that gas companies have to be included. “This is to diversify sources of funding for the NDDC for the economic wellbeing of the region.’’
On the Anti-Torture Act, he said it makes comprehensive provisions for penalising acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, and prescribes penalties for the commission of such acts.
On the Federal Capital Appropriation Act, the president’s aide explained that the Act authourised the Federal Capital Territory Administration to legally and legitimately provide funds out of its Statutory Revenue Fund for recurrent and capital expenditure.
On the Federal Capital Territory Water Board Establishment Act, he noted that the act was charged with the responsibility of providing safe, adequate and affordable water to FCT residents.
The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (Establishment) Act, 2017, he said is to provide national direction in cancer research, control and treatment; guide scientific improvements to cancer prevention, treatment and care, coordinate and liaise between the wide range of groups and health care providers with an interest in cancer.
“The six Acts have come into effect as laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’’
Source: http://headline.com.ng/doctors-now-treat-gunshot-wounds-without-police-report/amp/
Sen. Dino Melaye
