The Nigerian Red Cross Society has faulted the unauthorised use of sirens by individuals and the blockage of roads by places of worship in Kano State.
The practice, it said, threatened health and emergency services in the state, especially for those in need of urgent medical attention.
Red Cross Executive Secretary in Kano State, Musa D. Abdullahi, stated this in Kano on Tuesday at a one-day workshop organised for stakeholders in the state on Health Care in Danger (HCiD).
“The rate at which now virtually everybody abuses the use of sirens in this country is worrisome. It has reached an extent in Kano that even for conveying a bride, some people are using sirens.
“This has, no doubt, led people not to respect sirens any longer, which is a threat to those with emergency needs such as ambulances conveying sick people or victims of accidents and disasters.”
Participants at the workshop recommended the need of protecting healthcare and emergency service providers, increased budgetary allocation to the health sector as well as increased people’s awareness on first aid.
