Hospitals are now backed by law to treat accident or gunshot victims, refusal of which constitutes an offence and will attract a fine of N1 million.
A medical officer shall also be duly prosecuted if a victim dies due to refusal to treat or negligence.
These were part of the resolutions reached as the Lagos State House of Assembly passed a bill to protect witnesses and victims.
The ‘bill for a law to provide for the rights and entitlements of victims and protection of witnesses and for connected purposes’ stipulates the provision of assistance and protection to victims and witnesses who have vital information that could help ensure effective prosecution of cases, but who face intimidation due to their cooperation with the prosecution or law enforcement agencies.
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A part of the bill reads: “Every person, including security agents, shall render assistance to victims of accidents or crimes, and ensure such persons are taken to the nearest hospital for immediate care and treatment.
“A public or private hospital shall provide immediate and adequate treatment to an accident victim or any person with gunshot and severe injuries or wounds.
“A private hospital that receives accident victims with severe injuries or wounds for treatment under this section must inform the agency within 48 hours of his admission, and forward a request for reimbursement of medical expenses where family members or relations cannot be identified, or where the victim is indigent, and subject to the approval of the request by the agency, it shall forward records of the treatment to the agency.”