Between Ebola, HIV/AIDS and road traffic crashes (III)

Secondly, like I stated earlier in this series, the three epidemic remains a black man’s burden as they are more pronounced in Africa or better still in low and middle income countries. Thirdly, while our efforts to kick Ebola is commendable, the feat shows that we can achieve same with road deaths if all hands […]

Secondly, like I stated earlier in this series, the three epidemic remains a black man’s burden as they are more pronounced in Africa or better still in low and middle income countries. Thirdly, while our efforts to kick Ebola is commendable, the feat shows that we can achieve same with road deaths if all hands are brought to bear in the fight against road traffic crashes which is obviously older than the other two killers and which according to The Global status report on road safety 2013 from 182 countries, accounting for almost 99% of the world’s population, including Nigeria, kills 1.3million, and another 20 to 50million sustain non- fatal injuries.  Road traffic injuries are estimated to be the eighth leading cause of death globally, with an impact similar to that caused by diseases, such as malaria and remain the leading cause of death for young people aged 15–29years, and as a result take a heavy toll on those entering their most productive years. Yearly, 400,000people under the ages of 25years die at an average of more than 1000 a day.  In Nigeria, deaths through road traffic crashes before the establishment of the Commission in 1988 stood at 25,792 crashes and 9,077 deaths. The following fact sheets on Ebola; the average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks. Ebola first appeared in 1976 in 2 simultaneous outbreaks, one in Nzara, Sudan .The present  cases first notified in March 2014), is the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976 and in the case of Nigeria has killed few and some thousands globally
The number of people living with HIV rose from around 8miilion in 1990 to 34million by the end of 2011.The overall growth of the epidemic has stabilised in recent years .The annual  number of HIV infections has steadily declined and due to the significant increase in people  receiving  antiretroviral therapy, the number of AIDS related deaths have also declined. Since the beginning of the epidemics, nearly 30million people have died from AIDS related causes with sub Saharan Africa accounting for 1.2million deaths in adults and children. The latest statistics  as at 2011  shows that estimated  34million people are living with HIV/AIDS; proportion of adults living with HIV/AIDS who were women  estimated at 50miioloin, while the figure for children stands at 3.3million while those newly infected was 2.5million and 330000 for children newly infected. AIDS deaths as at 2011 was 1.7million.As at 2012 in Nigeria, the HIV prevalence rate among adults ages 15–49 was 3.1 percent.  The HIV epidemic in Nigeria is complex and varies widely by region. In some states, the epidemic is more concentrated and driven by high-risk behaviours, while other states have more generalized epidemics that are sustained primarily by multiple sexual partnerships in the general population.
 If these three kill, why has response by both individuals and corporate agencies including government globally been different? To tackle HIV/AIDS and Ebola, several partners including Presidents and Governors, private sector, foundations and individuals have closed rank. To raise the funds needed against AIDS or Ebola, several platforms have emerged including several Non-Governmental Organisations. In the case of Nigeria, the African Development Bank announced a donation of about N160 million to Nigeria in support of the course the African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged to release $1m to support Nigeria in the fight against the disease under its Emergency Relief Assistance programme. Another $60m will also be released by AfDB to be managed by WHO to strengthen the Health System in the entire West Africa, in a few weeks’ time, the sum of N1.9 billion was also approved to tackle the situation.   WHO and the other Donor Agencies have played vital roles. Brion O’neil of the European Union (EU),has  assured that the EU will support Nigeria to take proactive measures against further breakage of the EVD, stating that, training of Health workers should be given a priority. Still back home, River State Governor,Rotimi Amaechi said over 1.6billion has been spent on this  fight. I cannot recall the total support base from other State government in Nigeria even as I vividly recall the global call with President Barack Obama at the forefront of leaders calling for more efforts to kick Ebola out. I also know that almost all the States rallied round to provide funds to keep Ebola at bay while individuals were not left behind.
Why then do we pay lip service in fighting road traffic crashes which unlike Ebola and HIV/AIDS kills more especially in Nigeria and other developing economies? Why do individuals show more fear for Ebola and less for road traffic crashes? Out of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, it is rare to see State governments donate logistics and funding to compliment the efforts of the Federal Government in the fight against road traffic crashes. Only few such as Lagos State have blazed the trail. However, the present level of involvement by some corporate organisations is commendable but I believe we can collective do more not just in terms of mobilising funds and other logistics but also in changing our road use behaviour which cost nothing and which is fundamental in reducing road traffic crashes.
Concluded