By Harindi Liyanage

Arrangements are in full swing to host the National Trauma Conference – 2023, an innovative initiative spearheaded by the Trauma Secretariat (TS) of Sri Lanka. With the support of Upali Newspapers Ltd as the official print media partner, the conference is scheduled to take place on the November 10 and 11 in Colombo.

To shed light on the significance of this conference, we had the privilege of talking to two influential figures in Sri Lanka’s healthcare system: Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services, and Dr. Indika Jagoda, Director of the Accidents Ward at Colombo National Hospital. In our conversation, they highlighted the concerning rise in accidents across the country.

Over the past decade, the number of admissions to hospitals here has seen a startling trend, with trauma patients topping the highest admissions category. This surge can be primarily attributed to the increasing number of accidents which cover a broad spectrum ranging from road accidents to falls occurring within households, schools, and workplaces.

Dr. Gunawardena pointed out that a significant portion of accident victims belongs to the economically active age group of 15 to 44 years, making it a common issue worldwide. Tragically, every four hours, one life is lost due to traffic accidents, with countless others suffering temporary or permanent disabilities.

The financial burden on the government to treat and rehabilitate these victims, apart from the strain it places on their families, is substantial.

According to World Bank reports, Sri Lanka’s Gross National Product loses between seven to 21 percent due to accidents. This makes it imperative for the nation to collectively work towards reducing accident rate. It’s not just the economic loss; it’s the invaluable human resource the nation loses each time an accident occurs.

The most common types of accidents in Sri Lanka are falls within homes, followed by motor accidents, with motorcycles accounting for 60 to 70 percent of them. Reckless driving, night vision issues, and mental stress contribute to the high number of motorcycle accidents.

Dr. Jagoda emphasized the dangers of using mobile phones while riding motorcycles and highlighted that many women have fallen victim to accidents while riding scooters.

Drunk driving incidents are often reported on Fridays and weekends, and traffic accidents decrease in Colombo during extended weekends when many people leave the city for relaxation. Interestingly, during the last Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays, the number of accidents caused by fireworks and firecrackers reduced significantly due to media warnings.

Despite the successes in accident prevention, the media tends to highlight high accident numbers while overlooking achievements, which could encourage safer behavior, the two health administrators said.

Both Dr. Gunawardena and Dr. Jagoda stressed the importance of first aid assistance for accident victims. They recommended that everyone should receive first aid training and education on the proper methods of transporting victims to hospitals.

Plans are underway to introduce mandatory first aid kits on motorbikes, three-wheelers, and public transport vehicles in an effort similar to the “Stop the Bleed” program in the United States. These kits will be produced locally, and the Colombo National Hospital’s Accident Ward is actively working on this initiative, the two doctors said.

In a bid to further reduce accident-related fatalities, Sri Lanka plans to leverage GPS technology to ensure swift transportation of victims to hospitals. Airlifting victims to hospitals is another innovative approach being considered, which would significantly reduce transport times, potentially saving lives.

These initiatives not only aim to minimize accidents but also enhance Sri Lanka’s reputation as a safe travel destination, supporting the growth of tourism and adventure tourism. Collaboration with the Sri Lanka Police, the Air Force, and private aviation companies is on the horizon to promote these vital safety measures.

Dr Jagoda said that the National Trauma Conference – 2023 would serve as a platform to address these pressing issues, share innovative solutions, and pave the way for a safer Sri Lanka.

“It’s a collective effort to protect lives, boost the economy, and ensure the nation thrives as a secure and attractive travel destination,” he said.