MoH, WHO, Bloomberg Philanthropies launch new initiative to reduce road crash death
The Ministry of health, The National Transport and Safety Authority, The World Health Organization and Bloomberg Philanthropies have launched a new national initiative today ahead of the two days’ workshop that is scheduled to be on Thursday and Friday this week.
The launch of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for global road safety in Kenya comes as the government finalizes a new National Road safety action plan that that aims to halve deaths from crashes by 2030.
The objective of the workshop is to discuss and alight priorities for Bloomberg Initiative for Global Rod Safety (BIGRS) to Kenya’s National road safety programs.
“No death on our roads are ever acceptable and road traffic crashes are a pressing public health issue that we are working hard to urgently resolve. As a leading agency we are committed to contribute to the reduction of road injuries and deaths by 50 percent by 2030. The WHO and partners through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety will be the key in supporting our efforts to save lives and push forward progress,” said Agnes Odhiambo, The board chairperson NTSA.
According to World bank report the leading causes of death are attributed to the road traffic injuries and it has been ranked among the 10th causes of death. Globally road traffic crashes kill approximately 1.3 million people each year and about 3500 people die everyday.
“Road crash deaths are a crisis that hides in plain sight. Stepping up action on road safety is vital. By strengthening laws, practices and bringing partners together is key to saving lives,” said Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO representative in Kenya.
The chief guest who was present during the launch, representative of the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government Wilson Njega added that road causes are now registered to be hindering Kenya’s economy due so many people who are very productive who succumbing to it, through the NTSA and the government they will implement regulations that will integrate under the National Road safety.
“Bloomberg philanthropies is proud to partner with the Government of Kenya to strengthen road safety efforts that will save lives. We are committed to supporting proven road safety interventions that save lives,” said Kelly Larson, who leads Bloomberg philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety.
Since 2007, Bloomberg Philanthropies has saved lives and reduced injuries from road traffic crashes by supporting the implementation of road safety interventions in 45 cities and provinces, advocating for stronger national road safety policies in 21 countries and improving vehicle safety standards in four regional markets. These efforts are estimated to have saved nearly 312,000 lives.
