Injury prevention and safety promotion in Africa - local actors and global partners

Abstract

The story of injuries and their avoidance is as old as Africa, the cradle of humankind. History has fascinating accounts of ancient populations and their relationship with the beasts of the wild, and with fire, which was at times their strongest defense and at others their harshest tormentor. Encounters with water, the source of life and cause of sudden death alike. And with weapons crafted by fellow humans, typically arrows and poison. And so it is today, that in Africa, people of modern African states and communities still confront the challenges of injuries from fires and burns, drowning, violence, and the added bonus of motorised transportation. This paper looks at what Africans are doing to prevent injuries, and to make communities and neighbourhoods safer. It gives examples of successes, failures, and missed opportunities. It also looks at what contributions global partners have made, and what actions by global players may not have worked to Africa's benefit, and what lessons can be learnt from those experiences.