Malaysian Road Deaths Ratio Higher than World Average

Kuala Lumpur: As reported by New Straits Times, the ratio of road deaths in Malaysia is now higher than the world average. Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya has stated that the nation's road-deaths-to-population ratio stands at 23.6 to 100,000 people, compared to the world average of 18 to 100,000 people. According to the report, by comparison, the United Kingdom has 14 road deaths per 100,000 people, while Australia has just 4 road deaths per 100,000 of its population. "At this rate, the country will need many more emergency physicians within next 5 years in order to cope with so manny road accidents", said the Deputy Health Minister.

Currently, there are 205 registered emergency physicians in Malaysia. “We need more well-run, efficient and effective emergency medical and trauma services. With the country having such a high number of deaths caused especially by road traffic accidents, we certainly need a higher number of emergency physicians from the present 205", he added.

Prof Datuk Seri Dr Abu Hassan Asaari Abdullah, President of Malaysian Society of Traumatology and Emergency Medicine, also agreed to Dr Hilmi Yahya, saying that Malaysia is expected to increase the number of registered emergency physicians up to 600 in the next 5 years.

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