In movies and real life, the common theme of medical practitioners requiring police reports to begin treatment of patients in peculiar circumstances appears etched like a permanent tattoo the Nigerian society struggles to get rid of.
Gunshot wound victims suffer this stigma in one too many hospitals. Over the years, the willingness of bystanders to help people in this situation has faded for one major reason — police reports.
On Friday morning, this reporter overheard a pedestrian frantically walking through Lagos traffic while speaking on the phone to someone who understood his Igbo language.
In one sentence, he says, “I am trying to get a police report so the hospital can begin her treatment.” In an instant, he vanished, probably seeking the nearest police station.
Like this man in a red T-shirt and faded black jeans, several other Nigerians run to police stations from hospitals, thereby losing precious time.
Ebenezer Ayeni || Photo Credit: Punch Newspaper
In June 2021, armed robbers shot 30-year-old Ebenezer Ayeni, a gospel singer and vocal instructor. His family rushed him to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, but the hospital rejected him because there was no police report. A private hospital also rejected him.
Many friends took to Facebook to mourn and lament Ayeni’s avoidable death.
Mc ShayorComedian, wrote on Facebook, “Ebenezer Ayeni was shot in his residence during the night and he was rushed to UCH but he wasn’t attended to because of police report. He was also rushed to J-Rapha Hospital in Ibadan and they also refused to attend to him because of police report.
“He gave up the ghost after struggling with life for more than two hours. We were planning your wedding next week and not your burial. Rest in perfect peace brother!”
THE POLICE SPEAK
On October 23, 2023, Muyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), referenced the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act (2017) while addressing matters of hospitals rejecting gunshot victims.
“In response to the ongoing concern over the tragic loss of lives due to the neglect of gunshot and accident victims, the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, has issued a resounding call to all medical practitioners in Nigeria to provide prompt and compassionate treatment to all victims of gunshots and accidents, irrespective of the presence or absence of a police report,” he said.
“The IGP’s directive aligns with the full enforcement of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act of 2017, which mandates that all healthcare providers prioritise the immediate care and stabilisation of such patients, recognising the critical importance of timely medical attention in saving lives.
“The IGP’s decision comes as a response to the relentless outcry from concerned citizens and the broader community, highlighting the tragic consequences of delays in treating these victims.”
Section 2 of this act mandates everyone (including security agents) to provide aid to victims of gunshot wounds without discrimination, and Section 3 states that hospitals must report to the police no later than two hours after commencing treatment.
PROBLEM PERSISTS
Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health || Photo Credit: Channels TV
On October 11, 2023, Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health, commented on the situation during an interview with Channels TV.
He said hospitals should prioritise saving lives over their demands for police reports.
Pate said, “Recently there have been concerns about patients who show up at the emergency facilities and police reports being asked about gunshots or accidents. That’s really unfortunate, but in all federal teaching hospitals, for instance, I was in Maiduguri at the weekend, life has to be saved first.
“Life first and we have reemphasised that. All our hospitals I believe are doing that. No person should come with an emergency, or life-threatening challenge and be made to lose their life while awaiting police report.”
That same year, Kemi Aderemi, the administrative head of Tejuoso Medical Hospital, told HumAngle that the fear of police arrest made the hospital reject a gunshot victim.
“We are aware of the provisions of the law, but the police have on several occasions clamped down on us for treating gunshot wounds in the past,” she said.
“They pretend not to be aware of the Compulsory Treatment Act.”
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