The Sixth Global Forum on Road Traffic Trauma

by Indeewara Thilakarathne

The Sixth Global Forum on Road Traffic and Trauma which was held on last Monday gave an insight into the region-specific as well as country specific issues in addressing causes and extents of road traffic trauma (RTT).

The participants for the forum were linked together via video-conferencing. The venues of the forum included the World Bank Head Quarters in Washington DC, the Fogarty International Centre at NIH in Bethesda, a venue in Mumbai, the Sri Lanka Distance Learning Centre in Colombo, the Afghanistan Distance Learning Centre in Kabul, the Dow University of Health Science in Karachi and the University of Health Science in Lahore.

Among the principle objectives of the forum were better understanding of South Asian Region's impediments in effective addressing causes and extents of road traffic trauma on county level in order to identify country specific issues, determine steps that the forum will take to minimize and eliminate road traffic trauma and in treating victims of road traffic trauma.

Another significant objective of the forum was to provide a framework of educational programmes between and among countries on treating victims of road traffic trauma and preventing RTT.

One of important objectives was to communicate with the World Health Organisation, Ministries of Health in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and also to discuss about the opportunities of building collaborative effort with Internet2, Global Development Network of the World Bank, SCOT, Association for Rational Treatment of Fractures (ARTOF) and Bone and Joint Decade (BJD) working in conjunction with US, Canadian and South Asian government agencies on road traffic safety.

It has been revealed that the major cause of RTT in Pakistan is motor bicycles and the principle impediments are lack of facilities in speedy transporting patients from the site of accident to the hospitals for treatment. In addition, Pakistan also suffers from a shortage of trained personnel in treating Road Traffic Trauma.

It has been stated by Prof. Syed Muhammad Awais, pro- Vice Chancellor and Proffer of Orthopaedic Surgery, King Edward, Medical University, Lahore that, at least, that Pakistan needs 10,000 trained personnel to cope with the volume of road traffic trauma. He also stated that underage driving substantially contributed to the increasing road traffic trauma in mega cities such as Karachchi.

In Afghanistan, among the major issues identified are absence of proper roads, method of licensing and non-existence of traffic signals. Lack of infrastructure and the already-bad situation is worsened by left-hand driving.

This has been identified as one of the causes for increasing road traffic trauma in Afghanistan. Although more than 4000 accidents occur in Kabul, there are no proper medical facilities and trained personnel to treat victims of Road Traffic Trauma. For instance, there is a RTT Centre for 35 provinces.

Dr. Nanda Ellawala, Consultant Surgeon at Trauma Unit, National Hospital, Colombo, stated that road traffic accidents accounted for 35 per cent of admissions and 30 per cent-60 per cent victims are pedestrians.

He emphasized the fact that importance of enforcing existing legislature and prioritizing RTT is an important area on the health agenda. It has also been stated that accidents of pedestrians occurred between 5-11 p.m while vehicular accidents occurred between 2.00 a.m and 6.00 a.m. Dr.Ellawala suggested that an apex body with a strong head be appointed to deal with increasing Road Traffic Trauma in Sri Lanka.

In China, most accidents occurred due to heavy trucks. Among the important factors, the need for a protocol in treating road traffic trauma has been emphasized. Factors affecting Road Traffic Trauma in Nigeria include lack of proper infrastructure, legislature and training.

One of the major curses of Road Traffic accident in Nigeria is motor bicycles. Situation has been worsened by poorly maintained roads and lack of pre-orthopaedic care and also lack of trained personnel in treating victims of RTT.

Among the common impediments in the region is the lack of proper infrastructure, trained personnel and proper enforcement of legislature in RTT.

The forum was organized by the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT) which is an international not-for-profit association incorporated under Belgian law with the aim to advance the science and art of orthopaedics and traumatology at an International level and to foster and develop teaching, research and education.

SICOT is working in conjunction with Internet2, the Global Development Learning Centre of the World Bank Institute, the US.

Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of State provide international education opportunities while showcasing the breadth and scope of Internet2 and its international partners videoconferencing technology with real-time capabilities.

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