Over 2,000 die in accidents every year

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Around 80,000 road, industrial and other accidents occur annually in Sri Lanka and over 2,000 people die in these accidents. Around 1,500 are maimed for life with spinal cord injuries, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

He said around 1.2 million persons die following accidents in the world annually while 50 million suffer various disabilities.

The majority of these victims are between the ages of 20 and 50.

These also breadwinners contributing to the family economy, the spokesman said.

These facts were disclosed at a special workshop held on spinal cord injuries where it was revealed that 10,000 persons suffer from various disabilities each year owing to accidents.

A majority of victims suffered spinal cord injuries in road accidents, domestic accidents, assault or from falls.

The government spends Rs 2.5 million to treat each victim who has to remain in hospital for at least four months for treatment. the spokesman said, however, the seriousness of spinal cord injury could be minimised to a certain extent if the victim was handled with care.

“The method of transporting a victim plays a major role in stemming further damage to his or her spinal cord. Three wheelers should never be used to transport accident victims depending on the seriousness of the accident. A van or a car would be the ideal mode of transport as the victim could recline in the rear seat,” he said. The victim should be made to recline on a plank and taken to hospital as soon as possible, the spokesman said.