A study carried recently in Yaounde show that hundreds die from injuries while resources are instead directed to less impacting illnesses.

A study carried out by a team of health experts on injury protection and road and traffic prevention for a period of six months has revealed that 3,021 injured were rushed to the Yaounde Central Hospital for treatment. Out of these cases, 60 per cent were from road traffic, 37 pedestrian and 33 per cent from motor bikes. Also significant is the fact that out of the number injured, more victims were likely to die while several others needed surgical interventions. This research results carried out by a team of researchers from the John Hopkins Hospital and other health experts in collaboration with Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health were presented yesterday under the chairman of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Health, Angwafor III Fru. In his introductory presentation, Steven A. Kent of the John Hopkins University underlined that injuries and trauma are a rising global issue that needs to be tackled with emergency. While five million people perish world wide on yearly basis from intentional (violence, suicide, social problems etc) and unintentional (burns, falls, road traffic injuries etc) injuries Kent said the number of deaths from malaria and AIDS that receive much attention and funding is yet to reach those from the former. He however added that the crisis will become a much bigger one in 10 years if nothing is done.

The data, collected at the Yaounde Central Hospital, experts said, was just the tip of an iceberg from what holds in the country. Martin Ekeke Monono, hinged that Francophone countries are yet to know the impact of collecting data, related to injuries. In the wake of this, Martin Monono said the necessity for multi-sectoral cooperation is primary if the country wants to reduce the rate of injury. Besides, an injury prevention policy has to be put in place to encourage health experts in the crusade. The putting in place of data systems, emergency care systems, capacity building sessions and the implementation of existing and proven interventions should be put into practice, Monono stressed. Among the proven interventions is the efficient use of seat belts, helmets, speed brakes, reduction of drunken driving etc.

To Catherine Juillard of the John Hopkins University, limited finance and the lack of awareness campaigns is the root cause of the ever increasing rate of injury in Cameroon. Though many die on daily basis and others rendered helpless, more money is shifted to the fight against other illnesses that kill lesser, she said. However, preventable, research results have shown that countries with enough resources are unable to act whereas those with limited resources are succeeding in reducing injury and trauma.