The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a nationwide sensitisation campaign on the compulsory treatment of gunshot victims in Nigeria.
The Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by the Director of Social Mobilization, Ayoola Olufemi, made this known while receiving a delegation from the ICRC at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said the partnership became necessary to raise awareness about the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Act signed into law in 2017.
According to Mallam Issa-Onilu, delays in providing medical attention to gunshot victims often lead to loss of lives.
He explained that the law mandates all hospitals to treat victims of gunshot wounds immediately before demanding any administrative or financial requirements.
Dr. Olufemi also noted that NOA has a wide national presence with about 818 offices across the country, which will enable the agency to effectively reach and sensitise a larger number of Nigerians.
In his remarks, the Deputy Head of the ICRC in Nigeria, James Matthew, commended the collaboration, noting that many victims of gunshot injuries experience delays in receiving urgent medical attention.
He added that the ICRC will leverage the extensive nationwide reach of the NOA to ensure Nigerians are well informed about the law, a move he said will help save lives, especially during emergencies.
Written by Abiola Peters