Etim Ekpimah
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Hakeem Odumosu, on Tuesday, asked the Nigerian Medical Association to tell its members to start treating patients with gunshot wounds or accident victims without police report.
Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos chapter at the command’s headquarters, Ikeja, Odumosu stated that the practice of waiting for a police report before treating an injured patient is unprofessional and unacceptable.
He added that if there is a doubt in the condition or personality of any patient, they can contact the local police around them for necessary action.
He said: “You have to enlighten your members to always treat patients with gunshot wounds or accident victims without police report as the practice is unprofessional and not acceptable.
“Should there be a doubt in the condition or personality of any patient, your members are free to contact the local police around them for necessary action.”
Odumosu assured the association that the police would do everything within their powers to protect the association from quackery in the medical profession.
He, however, directed that policemen be provided for any anti-quackery operations to be carried out by the NMA’s Anti-Quackery Committee, which is headed by a retired Commissioner of Police, Dr Efunsola Sowemimo.
He promised better welfare and provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Police Medical Staff fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, stressing that every citizen must be involved to halt the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
The Commissioner of Police appreciated the Chairman, Dr Adetunji Adeneken and other executives of the Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos chapter for their time and zeal to partner with the Lagos State Police Command in addressing some topical health and security issues in the state.
According to him, to sustain the command’s fight against traffic offences and One Way Driving in the state, Odumosu warned them to caution their ambulance drivers to desist from driving against the traffic (One Way), using the BRT corridors, and blaring siren when they are not on emergencies, adding that such practice illegal and condemnable.
The chairman of the NMA, Dr Adetunji Adeneken, appreciated the Commissioner of Police and promised, on behalf of the association, to support the police in discharging their duties across the state.
He also reiterated their readiness to work with the police on Anti Quackery agenda of the police and the association. Other senior police officers in attendance were Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, DCP Ahmed Kontangora; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, DCP Bassey Ewah; Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, Panti, DCP Adegoke Fayoade; Area Commanders in the state and other senior officers.