Doctors suggest for mandatory driver’s testing to reduce accidents

By Charles Katabalwa

12^th Jan 2022

Doctors under their Umbrella body the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) in conjunction with The Association of Surgeons of Uganda (ASOU) and the Emergency Care Society of Uganda (ESCSU) have called for mandatory drivers’ testing before hitting on the road in order to mitigate road carnage in the country.

Since December 2022, over 500 road accidents have occurred in Uganda in which over 100 lives have been lost and several sustained serious injuries.

According to the Trauma, Injuries and Disability (TRIAD) unit at Makerere University school of public Health (MakSPH), 29 deaths per 100,000 populations occur in Uganda, a number said to be the highest in the world with Boda Boda, large trucks and buses being the lead causes of accidents.

While addressing journalists at Mulago Hospital Dr Edith Nakku Joloba, the UMA President said that the number of lives lost is abnormally high and must be checked to save life and the government resources.

Nakku adds that they strongly recommend re-testing and physical examination of passenger buses, passenger Service vehicles (PSV) and Heavy Good Vehicle (HGV) drivers every 6 months for their visual ability and other body parts by qualified medical personnel to establish driver’s fitness to operate a public service vehicle.

Meanwhile Dr Nakku has challenged the government to avail more equipped and timely ambulance services, emergency physicians and surgeons and equip all Regional emergency health facilities to cater for accident victims.