Training lay people as first responders to reduce road traffic mortalities and morbidities in Ethiopia: Challenges, barriers and feasible solutions

Abstract

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) have become global public safety and development hindrances, especially in the low and middle income countries, where the rate is significantly higher compared to the industrialized nations. The WHO warns, unless action is taken to improve road safety systems, the number of people killed by car accidents will triple to about thirty six million per year, and "RTA will become the world's third leading cause of premature death by 2020"; overpassing cerebrovascular disease, COPD, diabetes mellitus, premature & low birth weight, neonatal infections, diarrheal disease and even HIV/AIDS and be out ranked only by depression and heart disease". Provided that, one would assume that road traffic accidents, especially in the developing world, would be among the important health burdens worthy of close attention by both international agencies and local governments. But, the effect of trauma and injury, in terms of mortality and long term disability, in the developing countries, is neglected and underfunded due to "emphasis put on malnutrition and communicable diseases".