FG directs hospitals to treat gunshot victims without police clearance

The Federal Government on Tuesday directed medical doctors to treat emergencies including gun-shot victims without
requesting police clearance or other restraints.

The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, gave the directive at the swearing-in of 342 foreign trained medical doctors and six dentistry graduates in Abuja.

The foreign graduates were successful in the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) assessment held from April 6 to 8, which enables them to practice in the country.

Mr. Adewole urged them to treat patients on emergency before asking for money, adding that life is more precious than money.

He further advised them to continually practice within the limit of their competence and imbibe global best practice to
better their lots in the profession.

“Hospitals are sanctuary for the sick and injured, never must our hospitals be closed for whatever reasons; even in war time situations, hospital must remain open.

“Doctors must show no restraint in treating emergencies, even with gun-shot wounds you must treat them, thereafter raise questions.

“You must also treat emergencies before asking for money because life is more precious than money,” he said.

Mr. Adewole, who noted some of the challenges in the profession to include lack of
adequate places for internship programmes,
however, assured of government commitment
to fund the programme.
The ministry said that the nation was in dire
need of more human resources to cater for the
health needs of the increasing population.
He, however, assured of government’s efforts
at collaborating with key parties to ensure
effective distribution and financing the
training programme.
“The Federal Ministry of Health has
strategically identified and mapped out a
number of key activities to ensure that Nigeria
reverses the ills and failures in the healthcare
system.
“Training of prospective and qualified
healthcare professionals is one of the key
agenda of the present administration.
“On receiving your registration certificates
and licenses, you will proceed to your
internship training at any of the MDCN
accredited centres.
“We are not unaware of some of the
challenges some young doctors experienced in
securing placement for internship.
“We are working assiduously to ensure that
doctors eligible for internship training will no
longer wait endlessly searching for centres to
enrol for their training.
“With over hundred MDCN accredited
internship centres among others, the ministry
will work with key stakeholders to ensure
effective distribution and financing of the
training programme within the country.
“This will ensure that the perennial difficulties
in securing internship programmes by the
resident doctors will become history,’’ Mr.
Adewole said.
(NAN)