By Ayomide Otitoju
The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to enhancing emergency preparedness and trauma response systems to minimize preventable deaths from road accidents. This reaffirmation came on Thursday during a symposium commemorating World Trauma Day 2025, themed “Reducing Needless Deaths on Our Roads: Everybody’s Responsibility,” held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja.
Organized by the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre (LASAEC), the event brought together stakeholders from the health, transportation, security, and civil society sectors who collectively emphasized that road safety and trauma prevention are shared responsibilities.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Olawale Adegbite, said most trauma cases in Lagos were preventable and largely due to human error. He noted that the state’s pre-hospital care systems and ambulance services have been instrumental in saving lives, but require constant improvement and public cooperation.
Abayomi expressed concern over the public’s attitude during emergencies, condemning the act of bystanders recording videos instead of helping first responders. “Every time we block an ambulance or ignore an emergency call, someone’s parent, spouse, or child could be dying. Trauma care begins with public responsibility,” he warned.
He further disclosed that patients brought in by LASAMBUS ambulances have higher survival rates compared to those transported privately, underscoring the importance of professional pre-hospital interventions.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Dr. Oluwatoni Adeyemi, identified trauma as a major cause of preventable deaths and disabilities worldwide. She highlighted the progress made under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, including the introduction of ten emergency ambulance bikes to reach victims in congested areas and the commissioning of modular high-dependency units in Ifako and Mushin General Hospitals.
“These efforts bring critical care closer to communities and reduce delays in life-saving interventions,” she said, adding that the fight against trauma-related deaths requires the collective effort of citizens, professionals, and civil society.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, shared the inspiring story of “Mr. Andrew,” a trauma survivor saved through coordinated emergency response, symbolizing the impact of government-backed trauma care. He announced that the state is expanding trauma centers in Epe, Eti-Osa, and Badagry, in collaboration with private partners such as Custodian Allied Insurance and Access Bank.
Dr. Ogboye also called for behavioral change among motorists. “You move aside for convoys and security vehicles, yet block ambulances carrying lives. That behavior must change,” he said.
Delivering a presentation titled “The Traumatic Story Being Rewritten,” Dr. Adeolu Arogundade, Medical Director of LASAEC, recounted that the center had treated over 41,000 trauma cases in the last 15 years, maintaining a mortality rate of just 1.4 percent. He lauded the state’s policy of providing free emergency care within the first 24 hours, describing it as a life-saving measure.
Guest speaker and Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Kehinde Hamzat, cited World Health Organization (WHO) data showing that Africa bears a disproportionate burden of global road traffic fatalities. He attributed most deaths to preventable causes such as speeding and reckless driving, emphasizing that “effective trauma management begins with prevention.”
Participants at the symposium resolved to strengthen inter-agency collaboration, increase public education, and promote responsible road behavior across the state.
As part of the weeklong commemoration, LASAEC announced a Road Safety Awareness Roadshow for Friday to further sensitize residents on accident prevention and emergency response.
The event underscored the Lagos State Government’s enduring message: saving lives on the road is not solely the duty of government but a shared moral and civic responsibility of every Lagosian.
