A Critical Appraisal of Compliance with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017

Abstract

Aim: The practice of demanding police report before gunshot injury victims receive medical care in Nigeria has led to needless loss of life in several instances. The practice stems from the (mis)application of the Robbery and Firearms (Special provision) Act 1984. Thus, the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017 was enacted to mandate expedite medical treatment for gunshot victims without demand for police report. Methods: Adopting the doctrinal research methodology, this paper assessed the legacy of the Robbery and Firearms Act on the treatment of gunshot injury victims. It equally examined medical practitioners’ level of compliance with the provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017 and the legal implication of non-compliance, while highlighting remedial options available under the law. Results: The study found that despite the provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017, gunshot victims are still haunted by the ghost of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act. Medical practitioners are still uneasy about the treatment of gunshot casualties without police reports due to apprehension about police harassment. Conclusion: This paper concludes that the lack of publicity about the current realities of the law and lack of coordination between medical practitioners, police officers and other key stakeholders is responsible for non-compliance with the Act. Recommendation: The study therefore recommends the need for enforcement of professional and penal sanctions against erring medical practitioners who fail to provide expedite medical treatment for gunshot injury victims.