 April
12, 2004 - Washington DC.- The World Health Organization
and the World Bank, in celebration of World Health Day,
jointly developed the global report on the prevention
of traumatisms caused by transit. This report comes from
the efforts of international experts representing the
diverse sectors of transport, engineering, health, police,
education, and civil society. The report aims to present
a general overview of the existing knowledge on the magnitude,
the risk factors, the repercussions of the traumatisms,
and the preventive measures which can reduce the repercussions.
Today, 86% of deaths from traffic accidents occur in
developing countries, and in Latin America and the Caribbean,
the fatality index exceeds that of any other region.
In this context, the health and transport units of the
World Bank's Latin America and Caribbean region, in
coordination with the Global Development Learning Network
(GDLN), organized a global dialogue with the objective
of promoting an exchange of experiences focused on the
challenges of the problem at a regional level.
The global dialogue established an interactive videoconference
connection with panelists and participants in Argentina,
Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and Washington
DC (global dialogue
agenda). The dialogue began with Jose Luis
Irigoyen, Manager for the World Bank's Transport Unit
for Latin America and the Caribbean, who emphasized
the need for a convergence of efforts by the different
sectors. Following, Dr. Marcelo Bortman, World
Bank Health Specialist for the Latin America and Caribbean
region delivered a presentation on regional
comparative statistics, the principal risk factors,
and concluded by presenting measures which could be
taken (Dr.
Bortman presentation). Ecuador's Minister
of Health, Dr. Teofilo Lama Pico, finalized
the introductory block by commenting on Ecuador's integral,
multi-sectoral plan which focuses on injury prevention
and the provision of timely medical attention.
Directly following, the dialogue gave way to the virtual
panel made up of experts and high-level regional authorities
who were invited to present their comments and recommendations
on the report and presentation, and to share their own
experiences. The panelists, Miguel Salvia, Director
of the Argentina Road Association and Manuel
Eduardo Castillo Arroyo, Guatemala's Minister of Transport
focused their comments on the need to incorporate road
safety into national policy. The Honduran panelist,
Luis Alberto Medina, who represented the country's
Minister of Health, underlined the importance
of multi-sectoral participation. From Colombia, Dr.
Antanas Mockus, former mayor of the city of Bogota,
shared the successful experience of Bogota which was
presented as a successful case within World Health Day.
The panel concluded with the comments from Dr.
Luis Castaneda Lossio, mayor of the city of Lima, Peru,
who offered concrete actions which could be considered
in reducing road injuries.
Following the panelists' interventions, the dialogue
opened for questions and comments from the local participants
in each country to the international panel. Ecuador's
Vice President, Dr. Alfredo Palacio, closed
the dialogue with a brief presentation on the road safety
problematic and underscored the need to demand updated
and current legislation with respect to road safety.
See the global dialogue: http://onions.worldbank.org:8080/ramgen/vid/Health/HealthMD2.rm
For additional information on this dialogue (dialogue
satisfaction survey) or to learn of future GDLN
activities related to health, please contact Carmen
Carpio (ccarpio@worldbank.org).
| 
