SAFER stands for Stop Accident Fatality rise by EMS development and Road safety. This project is subsidized by Japan International Cooperation Agency and implementing research in order to improve Emergency Medical System (EMS) and to reduce traffic accidents in developing countries. SAFER consists of professionals with diverse expertise such as emergency medical, traffic engineering, EMS and system development.
The overarching goal of this project is to contribute to the reduction of social and economic losses caused by road traffic trauma to local communities, and to bring improved livelihoods to the Lao population. Furthermore, this project aims to establish an EMS that will help stop the increase of traffic trauma deaths in Vientiane Capital.
In Laos, the number of traffic fatalities has been increasing due to motorization and the development of traffic infrastructure in line with rapid economic growth, and Vientiane, the capital city, is the area most prone to traffic fatalities in the country. In addition, in Laos, volunteer first responders are responsible for lifesaving activities prior to the arrival of hospitals, and there is a large room for improvement in cooperation with hospitals. Therefore, this project is designed to reduce the number of traffic accidents and improve the life-saving rate.
(Figure. 1 Number of Traffic Accident Deaths in Laos)
On behalf of the SAFER Project and Japanese team, it is my great pleasure to share that “Project for Stopping the Accident Fatality Rise by EMS development and Road safety” (SAFER Project) has been successfully launched on June 2021, in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.
Universal access to quality emergency care is a fundamental function of local community. Without an access to basic emergency care, we may not be able to live with peace and safety. Especially for trauma, timely care is crucial to save lives and limbs. This is the matter of someone’s lives.
Thanks to all Lao health sectors, especially the hospitals and the rescue teams, Vientiane Capital has achieved providing universal access for necessary care for emergency patients in the past decades. However, the demand on emergency care has been expanding yearly and the number of road crash victims keeping high figures in Lao PDR. Hence, the establishment of advanced EMS system is urgently required in this country.
The SAFER Project was originally designed in 2019 with Mittaphab Hospital, Ministry of Health and Japanese consortium with the mutual partnership and recognition of the big social challenge, previously mentioned. We set the goal of SAFER Project and promised to establish a resilient EMS system. Providing quality care, with the EMS principle “Right Care at Right Place in the Right Time” is not an easy goal to be achieved. However, we believe that we can accomplish and make success in the coming years. We have courage, vision and confidence to go to the next stage.
Let’s go to the next stage together with the united efforts!
・Takaaki Suzuki, Visiting Researcher, Institute of Medicine(Emergency and Critical Care Medicine), University of Tsukuba
Physician, Kudaka Clinic, Okinawa Prefectural Nanbu Medical Center & Children’s Medical Center
・Junji Nishida, President, Japan Research Institute for Social Systems (JRISS)
・Masao Ichikawa, Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba
・Yoshiaki Inoue, Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba
・Toshiyuki Nakamura, Designated Associate Professor, Institute of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University
・Toyokazu Akiyama, Professor, Faculty of Information Science and Engineering, Kyoto Sangyo University
・Tsuneo Jozen, Professor, Faculty of Information Science and Arts, Osaka Electro-Communication University
・Ayuki Joto, JRISS
・Yoko Inui, Registered nurse, Waseda Takenoko Clinic
・Kaori Ota, Director, Osaka Office, JRISS
・Etsuko Sone, Assistant Professor, Research Institute of Disaster management and EMS, Kokushikan University
・Takashi Ishizaki, Researcher, Research Institute of Disaster management and EMS, Kokushikan University
・Yusuke Takayama, Lecturer, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University
・Kensho Ueda, Administrative Staff of International Medical Center, University of Tsukuba Hospital
・Tetsuo Yoshida, President, Tetchan-Net Training Center
・Fumika Yoshida, Vice-president, Tetchan-Net Training Center
・Vathsana Sengsouliddeth, Secretary, Tetchan-Net Training Center
・Vilayphone Vannasy, Assistant Secretary, Tetchan-Net Training Center
・Boualoy Saenthilath, Assistant Secretary, Tetchan-Net Training Center
・Chansy Vongkeo, Assistant Secretary, Tetchan-Net Training Center
・University of Tsukuba
・JRISS
・Mittaphab Hospital (Ministry of Hospital of Laos)
※ Project Organization and Members Chart
International Medical Center, University of Tsukuba Hospital
2-1-1, Amakubo, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Pref., 305-8576, Japan
The letter “SAFER” is put in the logo of “star of life, ” which is used for emergency medical worldwide.
The six top of “star of life” logo has each meanings: Detection, Reporting, Response, On Scene Care, Care In Transit and Transfer to Definitive Care. Implementing these goals is SAFER’s ones as well.
Furthermore, SAFER’s “A” stands for road cones, and “E” implies cross walk. These emphasizes the importance of road safety.
The national flag of Laos is colored with red, blue, and white. Our logo’s color stems from them likewise.