Project Lead(s): Chandra Pokhrel
Issue
Traffic accidents are a serious global public health problem and are predicted to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2030.
In the past decade, 54,010 accidents have been officially registered in Nepal, resulting in 9,170 fatalities and 19,548 serious injuries.
Proper first-aid management at the site of accidents can prevent further injury and death of severely injured victims.
Solution
Implemented in Nepal, this project was aimed at reducing road accidents in Nepal through an education awareness campaign, and training of first responders.
The main focus was a behaviour change management program conducted through various activities, including workshops, radio and television broadcasts on road safety and street drama, and the distribution of road safety education material to the public (such as brochures, stickers and posters).
A total of 11,000 pamphlets, 2,000 stickers, 500 copies of the RTA (Road Traffic Accident) First-Aid Manual, 30,000 brochures and 50 annual reports were distributed.
The project team also organized Emergency First-Aid training sessions for 240 participants and founded Emergency First-Aid posts in key locations.
The project carried out several activities to sensitize high-level government officials and constituent assembly members about an urgent need for the formulation of new regulations and laws related to road traffic safety.
Outcome
The awareness programs had far-reaching implications, with police records showing a reduction in the number of accidents and traffic-related deaths.
Due to advocacy activities associated with the project, a committee of Constituent Assembly members was formed in November 2014 that directed the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport to revise the Transport Management Act (1993).
In November 2014, a parliamentary committee formed a seven-member task force to study the irregularities and anomalies in the public transport sector. Similarly, in December 2014, the government of Nepal introduced new regulations for issuing licenses to drivers of public transport vehicles.
Finally, it was the first time in Nepal a project on road safety emergency first aid was developed.
The team plans to apply for Phase II Transition To Scale funding, and is holding formal and informal discussions with various governmental and non-governmental sectors, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and United Nations agencies, to explore matching funds for scaling up the intervention in the most vulnerable areas.