AN APPRAISAL OF THE TREATMENT AND CARE OF GUNSHOT VICTIMS ACT, 2017

Abstract

Gunshot wound and the problems associated with it has always been a global health phenomenon. Due to the sensitive nature of gunshot injuries in any clime, the treatment of victims is a pertinent and constant controversy among stakeholders particularly victims and their family, Governments, Medical Practitioners, Police, “Good Samaritans”, Legal Practitioners and relevant scholars. Prior to December 2017, victims of gunshot wounds could not be treated in Nigerian Hospitals without a police report which has led to the death of hundreds of thousands of victims in Nigeria. In 2017, the Nigerian President, Muhammudu Buhari signed the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act (2017) into law and being a legislation enacted by the National Assembly, is binding on all States in the Federation. The Doctrinal methodology was employed in this work. This Paper recommends that the government should promote legal awareness of the Act in collaboration with civil societies, the Nigerian Medical Association, and the Nigerian police via sensitization programs, workshops, seminars etc. People knowing their rights and duties will encourage them to demand justice and ensure enforcement at all levels explores the provisions of this new Act and the responses of both the Public and Private hospitals in treating victims of gunshot wounds without a police report.