Every year, over five million people die from road traffic crashes, violence, and other causes of injury. Millions more suffer lifelong disability and lost economic productivity. Injury accounts for 11% of the total global burden of disease. By far the greatest part of the burden of death and disability from injury, approximately 90%, occurs in lowand middle-income countries. Preventing injuries is very important but improving access and quality of trauma care can also reduce this burden significantly. Gross disparities in outcome of injury exist between low-and middle-income countries and high-income countries. For example, people with life-threatening but survivable injuries are six times more likely to die in a low-income setting (36% mortality) than in a high-income setting (6% mortality).
The Global Alliance for Care of the Injured (GACI) remains committed to supporting Member States and their partners to achieve the recommendations of WHA Resolution 60.22, and ultimately save 2 million lives each year. In an effort to diminish such inequalities and to improve care of the injured globally, WHO has taken several steps. WHO has published guidance documents on technical aspects of planning prehospital and hospital-based trauma care services. This is in keeping with the role of GACI which has helped develop and review a number of technical documents prepared by WHO and partners. These guidelines are currently in use in many countries, guiding efforts to improve trauma care systems. The Alliance promotes greater implementation of the Injury vision of these technical documents, which includes, lifesaving care at the scene, timely treatment of injuries and restoration of function and independence.
Considering the unprecedented challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has created to health systems globally, and the consequent disruption of our GACI work, we aim to recommence our work with a focus on post-COVID activities. The meeting will convene experts from member organisations and partners including injury care providers and advocates from across all WHO regions. This meeting will review and incorporate solutions, actions and recommendations at strategic, organizational and practice levels for the care of the injured and seek consensus on the outline and content of an updated plan for the Alliance.
