485 Participation of Somalia in the global status report for road safety 2023: an opportunity to better understand the status of road safety at the country-level

<h3>Background</h3> Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death, killing every year nearly 1.19 million people. WHO worked with MS in a GSRRS to monitor situations and progress. Somalia participated in GSRRS, and a road-safety profile was developed. <h3>Objectives</h3> To present the road-safety situation in Somalia and identify needed actions. <h3>Methods</h3> Data was collected through the administration of a questionnaire involving stakeholders. <h3>Results</h3> The report estimated a road traffic fatality rate in Somalia of 20/100,000 population, higher than the regional and global levels. Available data on deaths, injuries and long-term impairment are collected by the hospitals receiving cases, while the routine HIS does not include indicators on road-traffic related injuries, despite the estimated burden (at 8% for all injuries) and the inclusion of injury management in the essential service-package Routine data collection would inform appropriate-management of the issues. No national road-safety strategy exists. Except the available data on vehicles and lengths of public road, information-systems on mobility patterns, insured vehicles, risk and protective factors are needed. There isn’t formal road infrastructure inspection and maintenance. The export or import of used vehicles is unregulated and despite the availability of a national law that addresses vehicle-safety and driver licensing, it does not address any of the UN Vehicle safety criteria. National laws exist on mandatory motor insurance for material damage, injuries, and deaths, and to regulate speed, drink, and drug distracted driving, but they need alignment with good practices. No law exists for seatbelt, helmet, and child restraints. Access to emergency care is extremely-limited in the country, with pre-hospital care critically weak in standard functions, capacities, network and referral, absence of a trauma registry and any-legal provision to regulate post-crash care. Somalia doesn’t have a national RSLA to coordinate the required multisectoral-road safety activities with dedicated funding. <h3>Conclusion</h3> This report demonstrated the need to develop a national road-safety strategy with a lead-agency and dedicated funding and measurable targets with a strong commitment and action from government. A multisectoral approach is critical, where the health-sector’s a role in surveillance, lifesaving-care, prevention, and treatment of disabilities, and overall to inform the road-safety strategy.