Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Zakari Usman, has directed hospitals and other healthcare providers in the state to give prompt attention to gunshot victims in line with the need to save human lives.
Usman, who stated this on Monday while speaking with newsman in Lokoja, noted that the directive is in line with the move by the Inspector General of Police to deviate from the norms of the past when police report was required before gunshot victims could be treated at hospitals.
The commissioner urged hospitals and other healthcare providers in the state to see gunshot victims as people who need immediate medical attention.
He reiterated that not all gunshot victims are criminals, and even criminals have rights to medical care.
According to him, the Kogi State Government is committed to ensuring constant upgrading of medical facilities in the state to meet global standards towards providing seamless and proper medical attention to the people of the state.
He noted that demanding for police reports before treating gunshot victims will no longer be tolerated as many preventable deaths have occurred where hospitals insisted on such.
