Traffic Medicine-1: Managing the Carnage on Nigeria's Roads

Last week the nation lost scores of compatriots who perished in the road traffic crash along Benin expressway. And like in many instances in Nigeria, disaster victim identification (DVI) has not been given any serious consideration by those in authorities. An eye witness account in a media report captured the situation on ground which would have required expert intervention. He stated: “I cannot tell you the number corpses taken to the mortuary, there was lot of carcass; heads, legs, it’s not possible to count them out,” In a recent national disaster, we had offered our expertise to undertake a proper DVI under the auspices of our Forensic Medicine Society but we were eventually not called upon for the duty till date. We couldn't just jump unto the scene. There are procedures and modalities for engaging in an assignment of this nature as it is essentially a medico-legal process, and appropriate mandate and minimum facilities are required. What else can one do for a country when the nation fails basic test of responsibility in identifying her citizens, upholding their dignity even in death? Effectively destroyed in this ugly situation is the means for the families, friends and the community to achieve closure and eventually move on with their lives following such unfortunate incident? This is our sorry state and we keep retelling the story. My prayers and best wishes go out to the families and friends of the victims and to the entire community in bondage of avoidable calamities and unmitigated pains and suffering.