The Senate on Tuesday passed the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Bill.

The bill compels hospitals to treat persons with gunshot wounds before obtaining police report.

The bill was sent to the Senate by the House of Representatives for concurrence.

The bill states that medical workers must treat victims of gunshot wounds and receive assistance from security agencies.

The legislation mandates that no person with gunshot wounds shall be refused immediate and adequate treatment by any hospital in Nigeria, whether or not initial monetary deposit is paid.

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, in his remarks, noted that not every person shot was a criminal.

Saraki said, “By the passage of this bill, the Senate has moved to ensure that every hospital in Nigeria, both public and private, must accept to treat victims of gunshot wounds without any clearance from the police.

“What we have done is to ensure that everyone is entitled to medical treatment, irrespective of the cause of the shooting. We should reserve judgment for the criminal justice system, and leave healthcare for the medical professionals.”

Azeez