NEWS
Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention on Nigerian Roads, Public Awareness and Emergency Rescue.
The Brain and Spine Foundation Africa in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps on the 29th of November 2023, organized a brain and spinal injury conference at the Exclusive Serene Hotel, Abuja. Organizations represented include; the National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW), Nigeria Navy, Directorate of Road Traffic Services(DRTS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps(NSCDC), United Nations, Nigeria Police Force(NPF), Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare(FMOH) among others. The theme of the conference was “Brain & Spinal Cord Injury Prevention on Nigerian Roads, Public Awareness & Emergency Rescue.”
The executive director, Engr. Chika Okwuolisa in her keynote address said the theme of the conference encapsulated the urgency and gravity of the issues that the conference intended to address. “In focusing on brains and spinal cord injury prevention and road safety, we acknowledged the inter-connectedness of our roads, our behaviors, and the precious lives we strive to protect. “We must know that brain and spinal cord injuries are not mere statistics. They are profound disruptions to lives, families, and communities. Behind each incident of brain and spinal injury is a narrative of pain, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit. It’s this narrative that pushes us to find innovative solutions, foster awareness, and fortify our emergency response mechanisms.”
She maintained that survivors, through their unwavering courage and persistent demands, have become the driving force behind the commitment to address the issue of neurological emergencies. “Their voice, echoing with pain and resilience, have resounded in our hearts, compelling us to action. She added that the Brain and Spine Foundation Africa was founded to create public awareness of brain and spinal conditions and inform educate, support, and advocate for people affected by these conditions in sub-Saharan African countries.
The FRSC Corp Marshal, Dauda Biu, who was represented by Dr. Davidson Okuobeya, in his address, said that FRSC as a lead Agency in road traffic administration and safety management activities places a great premium on the sanctity of human life and the need to protect same through legislations aimed at preventing avoidable carnages on the nation’s highways.
He said the mandate of FRSC is anchored on the vision to eradicate road traffic crashes and create a safe motoring environment in Nigeria through sustained public enlightenment; promotion of stakeholder cooperation; robust data management; improved motor vehicle administration; prompt rescue services; and effective patrol operation, among others.
He, however, admitted that combating the scourge of brain and spinal cord injury requires a multi-sectoral approach, stressing that FRSC welcomes such synergy and collaborations with the Brain & Spine Foundation Africa, in reawakening the consciousness of Nigerians on the disastrous implications of brain and spine injuries not only to the victims who have been reduced to a state of permanent incapacitation but to their immediate families for the stresses of caregiving; and the nation for the huge economic cost in terms of medical tourism abroad.
He said in a bid to achieve its mission and mandate of zero tolerance to road traffic crashes with their fatal consequences, the Corps established 60 Zebra Points under its Emergency Ambulance Services; established 30 road traffic crash clinics/help areas; established 25 medical centers across the country; established call centers with 122 Toll-Free Number through which the Corps respond to all emergency situations including casualties, women in labor, bomb blast victims and so on.
He added that the Corps also established a synergy and collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System(NEMSAS) to pilot the first National Ambulance Services in Nigeria with 12 Ambulances to support the modest take-off of the scheme, among several others advocacy and enlightenment interventions.”
A Consultant Neurosurgeon with the Federal Medical Center, Jabi, Abuja, Dr. Douglas Emeka Okor, called on Federal and State Governments to fix the country’s roads.
Dr. Okor said that a new culturally relevant and realistic strategy to improve the training and attitudes of Nigerian drivers is needed. He advised that every FRSC unit on the highway should have at least two individuals who were paramedics.
“Every FRSC unit in a particular locale must know the nearest health facilities and their capacity – from a geospatial point of view,” he said.
revealed that some primary preventions of road crashes include motorable roads, well-trained drivers, and efficient and Effective delivery of the statutory function of FRSC which is preventing road crashes.
He noted that secondary preventions include prompt attention to victims of road accidents, and the provision of mobile clinics on the highways to manage RTA victims at the scene, among others.
