NOA, ICRC canvass quick treatment of gunshot wound victims

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), yesterday urged Nigerians to familiarise themselves with an Act that was passed in 2017 regarding compulsory treatment and care for the victims of gunshots. The agency, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), while signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at its headquarters in Abuja, said […]

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), yesterday urged Nigerians to familiarise themselves with an Act that was passed in 2017 regarding compulsory treatment and care for the victims of gunshots.

The agency, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), while signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at its headquarters in Abuja, said adherence to the law was very important.

Weekend Trust reports that the law, “Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017” was signed into law by the late President Muhammadu Buhari with a view to easing bureaucratic bottlenecks.

Speaking before the MoU was signed, the director-general of the NOA, Malam Issa Lanre-Onilu, revealed that many people are not aware that the law exists; hence the reason it is not being applied to save lives.

Lanre-Onilu, who was represented by the director of health and social care in the agency, Femi Ayiola, said there was no reason for the delay in response to the gunshot victims at hospitals if Nigerians were aware of the law.

He, however, promised that the agency, in collaboration with the ICRC, would ensure that it strengthens awareness across all the 774 local government areas of the country regarding the law.

On his part, the deputy head of delegation of the ICRC in Nigeria, James Matthews, said the partnership would help promote nationwide sensitisation on the provisions of the law and ensure that victims of gunshot wounds receive prompt medical attention.

He explained that such delays were often linked to limited awareness of the law and concerns among health workers and members of the public about the procedures for handling gunshot cases.