Working together to improve emergency care after road crashes in Africa
What is the problem?
Road traffic injuries are a major cause of death and serious injury across Africa. Many lives could be saved with quicker and better care after a crash. However, many countries in the region still lack the training, resources, and systems needed to respond effectively.
What did we do?
A two-day workshop was held in Botswana in 2024 to help strengthen emergency response to road crashes. The workshop brought together emergency care providers, educators, and leaders from across Africa.
What did the workshop focus on?
- Education: Creating training programmes that suit local needs and conditions.
- Training: Hands-on practice using realistic crash scenarios.
- Collaboration: Sharing experiences and building a strong network across more than 10 African countries.
Who took part?
A total of 43 people from 15 countries joined the workshop. This included:
- 28 paramedics
- 8 doctors
- 5 nurses
- 1 emergency medicine trainee
Participants came from Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, and other nations.
What was achieved?
- A new network of professionals was formed to support each other and share ideas.
- Participants committed to improving care in their own countries.
- The workshop laid the foundations for future training, research, and policy.
Why does this matter?
Good care in the minutes and hours after a crash can save lives and prevent long-term disability. This workshop is part of a wider plan to improve post-collision care across Africa by building local skills, learning from each other, and working together across borders.
What next?
More regional workshops are planned, alongside ongoing support for education and policy change. This work is led by IMPACT – the Centre for Post-Collision Research, Innovation and Translation, in partnership with the African Federation for Emergency Medicine and the University of Cape Town.
Hosted by:
AFEM; University of Cape Town; IMPACT – Centre for Post-Collision Research, Innovation & Translation
