In a significant step toward enhancing emergency response in Lagos, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria (SCIAN), and the Lagos branch of the Red Cross Society have joined forces to improve protocols for rescuing accident victims. The groundbreaking partnership is aimed at raising public awareness about the best practices for administering first aid, especially focusing on the critical issue of proper handling to prevent worsening injuries.
Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, General Manager of LASODA, emphasized the urgent need for public education on effective accident response, stressing that a lack of first aid knowledge can often turn minor injuries into severe, life-threatening conditions. She highlighted that many accident victims experience avoidable complications due to improper handling by well-meaning but untrained bystanders.
Addressing a joint meeting held at the Red Cross Office on Makoko Road, Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal outlined LASODA’s dedication to driving awareness across Lagos. “It’s not enough for people to want to help; they need to know how to help properly. We are determined to make sure the public is equipped with the knowledge to provide the right kind of care in those first crucial moments after an accident,” she stated.
In collaboration with SCIAN and the Red Cross, LASODA will be spearheading public training initiatives designed to ensure that Lagosians are well-informed on how to respond to emergencies. The focus will be on providing practical first aid skills and rescue techniques that could make the difference between life and death. These efforts, Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal assured, will transform how the public reacts to accidents, reducing the number of cases where improper first responses lead to further harm.
SCIAN: First-Hand Experience in Rescue Challenges
Providing a deeply personal perspective, Mr. Abdul-Wahab Matepo, Chairman of SCIAN and a spinal cord injury survivor, underscored the gravity of improper handling during rescues. He shared his own experience of how crucial correct first aid can be, warning that many accident victims’ conditions are worsened not by the accident itself, but by how they are moved immediately afterward.
“Many people’s injuries escalate not from the initial accident, but from how they are handled afterward,” Matepo explained. “Rescue efforts, if done improperly, can turn what should be a recoverable injury into a life-altering one.”
Matepo’s candid insights brought home the importance of the partnership’s mission. He urged the Red Cross to extend its training programs beyond medical professionals to include those directly involved in accident rescues, such as road transport workers and security personnel. He also advocated for the establishment of a road crash victim support fund that could provide immediate financial assistance to accident survivors, helping cover the cost of emergency medical care.
Red Cross Commitment to Public Safety
Mr. Ige Oladimeji, the Red Cross Branch Training Director, reassured attendees that the Red Cross has long recognized the importance of proper accident response and rescue techniques. He explained that the organization is already working closely with key partners such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to train personnel in best practices for accident rescue operations.
Oladimeji emphasized that while Lagos has made strides in emergency response, there is still work to be done to ensure that rescue efforts are consistent, efficient, and carried out with the necessary precision and care. “Rescuing accident victims is a delicate operation. Our training focuses on equipping responders with the skills to stabilize victims before medical professionals arrive. Every action, from the way victims are lifted to how they are transported, can have a profound impact on their recovery,” he said.
As part of the collaboration, the Red Cross will be expanding its training programs to include public awareness campaigns, workshops, and hands-on first aid demonstrations. The ultimate goal, Oladimeji noted, is to create a society where every individual has the basic knowledge required to respond appropriately in emergencies, reducing the long-term impact of accidents on victims’ lives.
A Lifesaving Partnership for Lagos
This collaborative effort between LASODA, SCIAN, and the Red Cross is seen as a vital development in Lagos’ broader strategy to improve public health and safety. With road accidents being a frequent occurrence in the bustling metropolis, the need for a well-trained public has never been more critical.
Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal praised the Red Cross for its role in improving rescue efforts but reiterated that the public must take a more active role in learning how to administer first aid correctly. “We all share the responsibility of keeping one another safe. Through this partnership, we are building a culture of care and awareness in Lagos, where everyone will know how to act when they find themselves at the scene of an accident,” she remarked.
As plans are rolled out for citywide training programs, there is growing optimism that these initiatives will drastically reduce the number of cases where accident victims suffer further harm due to improper handling. In addition to first aid training, the collaboration will also focus on the psychological aspects of emergency response, ensuring that rescuers are equipped to provide calm, compassionate care while awaiting professional medical support.
The Road Ahead: Building a Safer, More Aware Lagos
This landmark partnership between LASODA, SCIAN, and the Red Cross marks a significant advancement in Lagos’ approach to emergency rescue and public safety. By focusing on education and community involvement, the partnership aims to build a more resilient city, where every citizen plays an active role in saving lives.
With the collaboration set to launch extensive training programs across the state, the hope is that Lagosians will not only be more prepared to respond to accidents but will also contribute to creating a society where no one suffers unnecessarily due to a lack of knowledge. As Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal aptly put it, “Together, we can ensure that no more lives are lost or injuries worsened due to preventable mistakes.”
This joint initiative is more than just a collaboration—it is a blueprint for how communities can work together to make a lasting impact on public safety, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and compassionate Lagos.
