Gunshot Act: Ekpenyong proposes amendment, makes case for victim’s care

The Senator representing Cross River South, Asuquo Ekpenyong, has called for an amendment to the Gunshot Act. Ekpenyong, who moved a motion on the floor of the Senate, called for an end to the persistent denial of treatment and care to victims of gunshot wounds and other emergencies, emphasising the urgent need to ensure compliance with the provisions of the compulsory treatment and care under the Victims of Gunshots Act, 2017.

Ekpenyong was incensed due to the tragic death of Ms Greatness Olorunfemi, a community developer and member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network, on account of the alleged refusal of Maitama District Hospital, Abuja to accept and treat her after she was attacked and pushed out of a fast-moving vehicle by armed robbers on Tuesday, September 26, 2023.

To forestall future occurrences of the situation, Ekpenyong sponsored a motion that sought to emphasise the implementation of the National Health Act, 2014, and particularly the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, which gives victims of gunshots and other emergencies the right to treatment.

Referencing the law, he said: “Any person or authority, including any police officer or other security agents or hospital, who stands by or omits to do their bit which results in the unnecessary death of any person with bullet wounds commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to five years imprisonment or a fine of N50,000 or both. Under the 10th Senate, this provision will be reviewed to provide for stiffer penalties.”

According to him: “There is a need to uphold the provisions of sections 14(2) (b), 33, and 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Altered) and to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 to stop further unnecessary loss of precious lives due to the persistent refusal of hospitals to admit, treat, and care for victims of gunshots and other emergencies,” he added.

Briefing journalists on the resolutions of the Senate, Ekpenyong disclosed that a minute silence was observed for the repose of the soul of Olorunfemi and several other Nigerians who lost their lives in similar circumstances nationwide.

He explained that the Senate also passed a resolution summoning the Inspector-General of Police and the Minister of Health to appear before the Senate Joint Committee on Health and Police Affairs to brief it on the non-compliance with the provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, while also mandating the committees on Health, Police Affairs, and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance with the law.