Anambra Assembly Calls For Compulsory Treatment, Care For Victims Of Gunshot

Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Commissioners for Information and Health to play a lead role in collaboration with concerned stakeholders, to educate ndi Anambra on the various provisions of the “Compulsory Treatment and Care for victims of gunshot Act, 2017”, in other to save lives.

Chief sponsor of the motion Hon. Chidiebele Ibemeka while making his submission said the “Compulsory Treatment and Care for victims of Gunshot Act, 2017” was enacted by the National Assembly and was signed into Law in 2017 to accord immediate attention to victims of gunshot and accident without the request of a police report. 

Hon. Ibemeka who is the member representing Njikoka one constituency stated that the increased rejection by medical personnels, due to non provision of police report and negligence by citizens, due to fear of police harassment as it concerns victims of gunshot and accident has led to a lot of avoidable death within the State.

“The culture of taking videos of gunshot and accident victims in a bid to post them on social media instead of rendering assist to save lives by citizens has contributed to more loss of life’s on the part of the victims 

“Many victims of accident, gunshot and one-chance have lost their life’s due to the ignorance of many ndi Anambra on the various provisions of “Compulsory Treatment and Care for victims of gunshot Act, 2017”. 

“A lead role in educating ndi Anambra on the provisions of “Compulsory Treatment and Care for victims of Gunshot Act, 2017″ by the concerned agencies of government in collaboration with concerned stakeholders will go a long way in saving lives of the concerned victims in case of any eventuality”. 

In their seperate submissions while supporting the motion, Anambra Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Somto Udeze, Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Jude Akpua, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu, Hon. Golden Iloh, Majority Leader Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, Hon. Emmanuel Nwafor, Hon. Emmanuel Okpalaeke, 

Hon. Obi Nweke and Hon. Anthony Muobike urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to do the neccessary directives. 

According to the lawmakers “This motion will help in encouraging ndi Anambra to assist gunshot victims. 

“Saving this victims is very important because their survival will assist security personnals during investigation especially when trying to identify their identity, families and relatives.

“Even when some good samaritans intervene by taking this victims to the hospital, doctors and nurses demand for police report. 

“Demanding for police reports before treating someone is outdated because their is a law that out-lawed such demands. 

“The essence of this motion is to make the public awear of this law. It is not just for hospitals but for every citizens of Anambra state to know about the existence of this law.

“People should site this law to doctors and nurses who refuse to treat any gun victim and If any victim dies because of refusal of treatment by health workers, the family of the victim can sue the hospital to court. Life should be saved first before anyother thing. 

“Those who want to help gun victims should know that they are protected by law. They can take the victims not only to general hospitals but also private once. 

“We all needs to join in the sensitization which should be taking down to schools. We can minimize loss of lifes through this amd ndi Anambra needs to be awear that they own each other care. 

” The actions of some hospitals in refusal of treatment is illegal, even if the victims is an arm rubber, he is still considered a suspect until proven guilty in court”.

Speaking to correspondents after plenary, chief sponsor of the motion Hon. Chidiebele Ibemeka 

“I sponsored this motion because of the experience i witnessed in Anambra. More sensitization needs to be done so that our people will be educated.

” Compulsory Treatment and Care for victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 has been passed but is not implemented. Our people should be awear that saving lives should be a priority.

“This is a life saving motion  because demanding for Police report and cash deposite has lead to the death of many people. 

“The primary aim of government is to save life and property and this is why we were elected to represent our people. 

The house adjurned to Tuesday October 24, 2023