A Gloomy Post

One reads a lot about the burden of various medical issues in Africa: TB, HIV/AIDS, malaria, obstetrical complications and the list goes on.

It’s easy to forget that deaths from motor vehicle accidents are also a major public health issue in many parts of Africa.   Ethiopia is ranked 12^th in the world for fatalities due to road traffic accidents.

We’ve seen a fair number of remnants of car crashes and unfortunately even pedestrians being hit by vehicles during our few months here in Addis.  A bit of a depressing topic, but I thought it deserved a post.

The people most vulnerable to road traffic accidents in low to middle income countries (this is the new vocabulary to replace “developing world”) are those who would not be able to afford a vehicle of their own (cyclists, pedestrians, and passengers using public transport).   Yes, the world is not fair.

Low- and middle-income countries account for over 90 percent of the deaths from traffic accidents, despite having only 48 percent of the world's vehicles.

The reasons for such miserable statistics are of course multifactorial.

 A big problem in Ethiopia is lack of adequate emergency medical services.  Victims who may have manageable injuries arrive at hospital too late or more commonly not at all.  As well, the majority of victims are underprivileged and unable to afford health care.

Added to this is a lack of seatbelts, a very poor road network, poorer conditions of vehicles, disorganized traffic…..

In Ethiopia, there is a law that requires the driver in a vehicle to wear a seatbelt.  It is surprising what can pass as a seatbelt  (a very loose burlap strap, worn rakishly over the shoulder, can often do the trick).

 The WHO projects road traffic injuries will be the fifth-leading cause of death globally by 2030, along with diarrheal illnesses, TB, ischemic heart disease etc.  By 2040 deaths from road traffic accidents are predicted to surpass deaths from HIV/AIDS in Africa.

No pictures for this post; thought that would be a bit grim.

On a less gloomy note, I am not so afraid of being hit by a bus these days and no longer feel the need to hold someone’s hand when I cross the street.   A bit of progress on my part.