Doctors, Nurses Reaffirm Duty to Treat Gunshot Victims Without Police Reports

• Cite existing law mandating immediate care and penalties for negligence

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria have reiterated that hospitals are legally obligated to treat gunshot victims without requesting police reports. The reminder follows recurring cases of hospitals rejecting or delaying treatment for such patients, often resulting in preventable deaths.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, both bodies emphasized that the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Wounds Act of 2017 mandates all public and private hospitals to provide immediate care to gunshot victims. 

The Act stipulates penalties, including imprisonment or fines, for any institution or individual whose negligence leads to unnecessary loss of life.

Section Seven of the law prescribes a five-year jail term, a fine of N500,000, or both for offenders. The Nigerian Police Force had also, in a circular dated October 25, 2023, directed all officers to ensure full compliance with the Act and warned against any form of delay in life-saving treatment.

National President of NARD, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, described the continued refusal of some hospitals to treat gunshot victims as “unacceptable” and “unethical.” He noted that doctors are first and foremost duty-bound to save lives, not to act as investigators. Suleiman added that NARD routinely sensitizes its members through Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs to ensure full awareness of legal obligations.

Citing his personal experience, Suleiman said, “Where I practice in Katsina, we treat first—the police handle the rest. Our role as doctors is to save lives, not judge.” He urged Nigerians to report any hospital that violates the law, assuring that such cases would be investigated by relevant authorities.

He further warned that rejecting or delaying treatment for gunshot victims is both a criminal and professional offense. According to him, no financial or administrative reason can justify turning away an emergency patient, adding that hospitals must always prioritize life-saving care above all else.