Nigeria mulls policy for trauma care

The federal government is developing a National Trauma Care Policy to ensure quality management of trauma in the country.

The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate disclosed this during the commemoration of this year’s World Trauma Day in Abuja.

It was themed” Workplace Injury: Prevention and Management’’.

Represented by the Director Teaching Hospitals, Anuma Ogbonnaya, he said the policy would  provide a strategic framework for handling trauma cases, covering pre- hospital and emergency care to rehabilitation and re-integration into the workforce.

• Anambra PDP crisis created in Abuja — Ex-Minister
• Mixed feelings over directive to foreign airlines to patronise local caterers

He said, “We aim to set a gold standard for trauma management, ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location, has access to high-quality emergency care when it is needed.”

The minister said globally, trauma remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, affecting millions each year.

Quoting  the World Health Organisation (WHO), he said  injuries and violence account for over 4.4 million deaths annually worldwide, which is about 8% of all deaths globally.

He said these incidents not only lead to loss of lives but also contribute substantially to disability and significant economic burdens.

He also said the ministry would establish a dedicated  clinic within the ministry to offer emergency medical services, including care for workplace injuries.

The Chairman, Coalition of Road Safety NGOs in Nigeria, Prince Ache Julius Ogu, said over two million Nigerians are affected by road crashes annually, adding that  road traffic injuries are leading causes of disabilities, and deaths in the country.

The Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)  Shehu Mohammed who was represented by  deputy commander Lawrence Okoye, the coordinator, emergency ambulance services scheme, said trauma encapsulates psychological symptoms or emotional wounds, which are concomitant effects of injuries obtained via traffic crashes or other emergencies. He said trauma is one of the life threatening experiences victims suffer as a consequence of road traffic crisis, workplace injuries, building collapse, and natural disasters such as flooding.