Western Asia Ministerial Meeting On NonCommunicable Diseases

and Injury

Wahid AlKharusi

Doha - Qatar

Monday 11/5/09

Multi-sectorial Approaches To Prevent Road Traffic Crashes & Injuries

Road Safety Is A Public Health Problem

WHA 57.10 May 2004

Global Problem

A Neglected PandemicNCD & Injury

• Lack of Attention by the Governments, Media and The Public

• Unless we approach the problem positively we are heading for a disaster.

You could be an instrument of Change

• Create a Political Environment through Multi-Sectorial Approach

Health

A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.

Injury The physical damage that results when a human

body is suddenly or briefly subjected to intolerable levels of energy.

Injury Is Kinetic Energy Transfer

movement energy

ROADS

VEHICLES

PEOPLE

TRAUMACARE

Existing roadsPoor designPoor construction

Country standardsIndividual choicesOrganisation choices

Country standardsIndividual choicesOrganisation choices

Helmets, Seat beltsSpeed, Drink DriveVulnerable people

recovered

Permanentdisability

Immediatedeath

delayeddeath

Non-involvedPeople traumas

Safe System Barriers and Holes

Lead Agency

GovernmentAgencies

Corporate Sector

Private Sector NGO

Multi-Sectorial Cooperation

Civil Society

Leadership

Government Agencies

MOH PoliceMin. Interior

InformationTransport

Education Justice

Foreign Min.

Higher ResearchCouncil

Corporate Sector

Energy Companies.

InsuranceCompany.

Car Manufacturer

Transportation Companies.

NGO’s

CommunityCivil Society

PrivateGovernment

corporate

PhilanthropistsRegional

Global Col.

Volunteers

Health Educators

Lead Agency

STRATEGY Clear Objectives.

Senior level commitment

Structure Management Organizational struct. Leadership Operating plan Focused staff Governance Proper Comm.

Performance Tracking

Lead Agency & National Action Plan

• Data Collection. WHY !!!• Advocacy - outreach Programs• Capacity Building - Education &

Training.• Knowledge Sharing and Transfer.• Research• Political Will

An Integrated Systems Approach is Needed to Address the Complexity of the Problem

The systems approach looks at:

- the roadway- the vehicles – the road users

And must address:– Preventing a crash before it occurs– Minimizing injuries – Treatment for injured victims

And should incorporate:– Data systems and research– Infrastructure and environment– Organizations involved– Trauma care– Political, environmental, and

social context

Integrated Maximal improvement will need to

leverage pooled resources through successful collaboration across

Government (justice, transportation,

healthcare, public health, education, urban planning, economic development, finance)

Private sector Civil society (advocacy groups, NGOs,

academia)

Political Will - Omani Experience

• Development of Holistic approach to Trauma care and Disaster Management.

• Oman and Politicization of Road Traffic crashes and Injuries - UN Road Safety Resolutions.

• Road Safety NGO• A one person Initiative.• Success through Persistence.

Human Nature

- Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it . George Santyana.

- They Are risks and costs to a program of action, But they are far less than the long risks and costs of comfortable inaction.

John F. Kennedy.

Participation

Identify and explore the positive aspects of the partners and the system and

Understand but do not dwell on the negative aspects of those involved.

Recommendations• Injuries and NCD have to be Politicized and

Globalized - International Health.• Inclusive Policy and civil society empowerment.• Persistent Advocacy for Political Will.• We are all Responsible and We can make a

difference• Must work together involving all the stakeholders

for a multi-Sectorial approach.• Public Health problem.

These Girls Have A Right For A Bright Future

We have to translate policies into programs

THANK YOU