RIYADH, 6 April 2004 — The Kingdom will join the 180 members of the World Health Organization (WHO) in observing World Health Day tomorrow.
The Ministry of Health has made elaborate arrangements for the day throughout the Kingdom with a focus on the global theme of “Road Safety Is No Accident.” The ministry has sent circulars to all regions that each should observe the day by organizing public awareness programs.
The Ministry of Education has asked schools to include programs to highlight the day’s importance. Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Al-Manie will speak to the nation on the significance of the day. The regional health directors throughout the Kingdom will organize programs in collaboration with their governorates.
Saudi Arabia records some half a million casualties from traffic accidents annually, 12 percent of which are fatal. Of these accidents around 10 percent involve underage drivers.
According to a statement, speeding is the main cause of accidents in the Kingdom. In 2001-02 more than SR8 million was collected in traffic violation fines which amount to SR22,000 per day. A major portion of the fines was imposed for speeding and running red lights. The statement issued by the WHO said that every day as many as 140,000 people are injured on the world’s roads.
The Regional Director of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional (EMR) Organization of the WHO, Dr. Hussein Jezairy, said the theme selected for the health day campaign aimed at creating interest in developing strategies for solving the problem.
He added that in EMR countries, the risk of death and disability from road traffic accidents generally increases with increasing per capita income. In 2002, WHO reported 132,000 deaths due to road accidents in the EMR. “Several countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, have taken steps to tackle the problem and reduce the burden of death and disability caused by road traffic injuries,” said the regional director.
The Kingdom’s traffic department has established strict penalties for traffic violations including jail sentences for running red lights.
“The launch of the World Health Day is only the beginning of a yearlong global campaign for road traffic injury prevention. Let us all join hands so that children and parents can return safely to their homes at the end of every day,” Dr. Jezairy said.
