On October 17, 2024, the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre (LASAEC) hosted a significant event to commemorate World Trauma Day, bringing together healthcare professionals, government officials, and community stakeholders.
The event underscored the crucial role of trauma care in saving lives and highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance emergency medical services in Lagos State.
At the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, addressed the audience, reflecting on the importance of LASAEC and its staff in responding to traumatic incidents. “Your work here is a matter of life and death,” he emphasised, acknowledging the high stakes involved when victims of road traffic accidents arrive at the centre. He praised LASAEC for its strategic location and the expertise of its staff, particularly the Medical Director, Dr. Adeolu Arogundade, who has garnered international recognition in trauma medicine.
The Commissioner, who made a presentation on efforts of the Lagos State Government to improve Trauma Care and Emergency Services in the State, shared data illustrating the impact of government policies on reducing trauma cases, particularly following the ban on motorcycle taxis in certain areas. “This policy has already shown promising results in lowering the number of severe accidents,” he noted, advocating continued investment in trauma care and capacity development.
He also addressed the alarming rates of trauma cases in Lagos, attributed largely to road traffic accidents and domestic violence. He called for collaborative efforts among various healthcare sectors to mitigate these issues and improve response times. “We must be prepared for trauma cases, as the statistics show a significant number of lives are at risk,” he warned, urging for better training for emergency responders and improved public awareness about first aid.
A key focus of his presentation was the integration of advanced technology in emergency response systems. Prof. Abayomi outlined plans for a digital health information platform that would enhance the coordination of care, ensuring that trauma patients are directed to the appropriate facilities swiftly. “Time is of the essence in trauma care; we need to know exactly where to take patients for the best possible outcomes,” he explained.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi stressed the need for continuous improvement in the equipment and infrastructure at LASAEC. She recalled a past visit where the facility faced challenges due to inadequate resources. “We need to ensure that our trauma centres are equipped with the latest technology and resources to provide efficient care,” she stated, highlighting the need for better bed management systems to streamline patient transfers.
Dr. Ogunyemi reassured staff that the government is committed to supporting their development through ongoing training programmes and salary increases. “Your dedication and expertise are vital to our healthcare system,” she emphasised, noting recent measures to enhance wages for medical professionals in Lagos.
In recognition of their tireless work, she expressed her gratitude to the staff of LASAEC, affirming their commitment to providing the necessary resources and support to ensure that Lagos remains a leader in emergency medical services.
The Medical Director of LASAEC, Dr. Arogundade, presented an overview of the centre’s history, its achievements, and plans. He disclosed that operations at LASAEC commenced on 1st April 2010 with 20-bed stand-alone emergency rooms primarily to provide hospital care to victims of trauma emergencies, particularly from road traffic accidents.
He noted that the vision of the facility is to become a world-class trauma emergency hospital, providing free, humane, prompt, sustainable and qualitative healthcare services at all times, adding that the mission is to provide and deliver free, prompt and high-quality healthcare service in a conducive environment, ensuring continuous supply of resources and training for a motivated workforce
He disclosed that LASAEC has attended to over 38,000 trauma emergencies since its inception with many of the cases brought in “between life and death”. He added that most cases were brought to the hospital by “Good Samaritans”, FRSC, Police, LASTMA, LASEMA and other first responders and law enforcement personnel.
“Over 55% of cases seen at this facility are road traffic injuries, over 12% are from battery, over 9% are from falls and 1% from Gunshot injuries. Mortality rate from these cases is between 1% and 1.7%”, the Medical Director explained.
He underscored the importance of training and retraining skilled healthcare workers in the trauma sector, noting that there is a plan for a two-storey structure to serve as a training centre and offices to replace the makeshift portacabin setup currently in LASAEC.
As the event concluded, the atmosphere was one of hope and determination. Attendees were reminded of their critical roles in the fight against trauma and the necessity of collaboration in improving healthcare services. The day not only celebrated past achievements but also set the stage for future initiatives aimed at elevating trauma care standards in Lagos State.
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