7 News Belize

Post Crash Care
posted (December 3, 2015)
The road safety project is doing its annual project review - and yesterday that meant a graduation ceremony for medical first responders. They've been trained in post crash care - which is an important part of the entire safety net for road trauma victims. Here's more:..

Dr. Ramon Figueroa, CEO - Ministry of Health
"In reviewing some of the statistical information from the Ministry of Health, it is important to note that in 2013 there were a total of 64 fatalities from RTIs. In 2014, these rose to 75. And up to November 25th of this year, our data shows that there are 53 registered fatalities. While every death is important and unnecessary, we must consider the development impact these may have on our country when you realize that over half of these deaths are in the productive age group. These are the people that serve as the economic engine for Belize and we are losing them to preventable cause. The present road safety project specifically in relation to the post-crash care capacity building program, we have already train the first cohort of 18 persons. This cohort pass through the basic life support at the Ministry of Works conference room on July 27th, 2015 followed by the medical first responder program at the George Price Center - this very center for peace and development from July 28th to August 14th, 2015."

"We are now here to celebrate the completion of cohort 2, made up of 22 men and women. This training commenced on November 9th, 2015 and was completed about 4 days ago on November 27th, 2015 at the Police Training Academy."

"The good news is that more is yet to come. In the end, the emergency medical system will have fill capacity to handle injuries in general and injuries from traffic collisions in particular."

Glen McCarvell, CDB
"Also the medical training of first responders is expected to further contribute to reducing deaths and serious injuries along the Belize City - Belmopan Demonstration Corridor. As well as contribute to significant benefits within the wider healthcare system."

Eleanor Zuniga, Student - Western Regional Hospital
"If God forbids that we be the first persons to arrive at an emergency, we first responders are confident and certain that we will be able to provide efficient and effective and accurate pre-hospital care, asses patients for wounds to determine if trauma, shock, burns or close airways and any ways how to address those issues."

According to the World Health Organization, about 1.25 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes - and 90% of the world's fatalities on the roads occur in low- and middle-income countries, even though these countries have approximately half of the world's vehicles.

Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among young people, aged 15-29 years.

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