This week is some kind of global road safety week. Good to see the Myanmar mainstream media take note of it. Especially after the 'confusion' over the number of road deaths over Thingyan.
WHO has just released a comprehensive six point strategy. http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/publications/road_traffic/save-lives-package/en/
Speed management
Leadership on road safety
Infrastructure design and improvement
Vehicle safety standards
Enforcement of traffic laws
Survival after a crash
There are driver, road and environment issues involved in most crashes or collisions. Focusing on only one will not have much of an impact.
BTW it is good to hear that a national NCD plan is being developed. Will it have road safety in it?
Jamie
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13 die in car accidents every day in Myanmar
Eleven
05/08/2017
About 13 people die in car accidents in Myanmar daily and hospitalization and death rates are at the top of the lists compared to other cases, said orthopedic specialist and Professor Dr Zaw Wai Soe, dean of Yangon University of Medicine-1.
Non-infectious disease outbreaks and death rates are rising faster than infectious diseases, accounting for 60 per cent of all medical cases. Cases caused by road accidents are included in the category of non-infectious disease, say medical experts.
"In 2016 over 4,600 people were killed and over 26,000 injured in car accidents. Every day, about 13 die. This is the same elsewhere in the world. Most people killed by road accidents are working-age people between 15 and 45 years old. The impact is tremendous. In Myanmar, motorcycle accidents are most common so most of the victims are young," said Dr Zaw Wai Soe.
"We need better engineering designs for roads and bridges. Preparedness measures against natural disasters are required. Myanmar is trying to promote first aid and emergency public health. We are drafting a bill abolishing the clause saying that a patient coming to a clinic or hospital after experiencing a car accident must not be given treatment as the case is related to the police; this way when a road accident victim is found they may receive immediate treatment,” he added.
Globally, 1.25 million die and 40-50 million are injured in road accidents every year.
Myanmar's Ministry of Health and Sports are planning to draw a national strategy on prevention and control of non-infectious diseases (2017-2021) in collaboration with World Health Organisation and Help Age International.
http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/local/9280
