A ministerial nominee from Lagos, Dr Tunji Alausa, has called on medical doctors in the country to ensure prompt treatment of all gunshot victims.
Alausa, who made this call during his screening as a nominee by Senate, however noted that doctors in Nigeria are always scared to treat gunshot victims because of fear of repercussions from the police.
He said gunshot victims ought to be treated first and later prosecuted if they are found to have been involved in any criminal activity.
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According to him: “You don’t need police report to treat a trauma patient. This should be communicated to the Inspector General of Police.
“The health care providers are scared to treat people with gunshot injury thinking that the police will go and prosecute them.
“They are afraid that they could be accused of treating a suspected armed robber. I think somebody with a gunshot injury should be allowed to live to tell his or story.
“He should be rescued and treated first. He could be prosecuted later. Health care givers should do their best to save the lives of all trauma patients.”