Civilian Conflicts in Nigeria: The Experience of Surgeons in Kaduna

Abstract

On February 21st -23rd 2000 Kaduna city witnessed a civil conflict resulting inevitably in mass casualties. Many dangerous weapons were used such as arrows, firearms, knives, and open fire. Two hundred and seventy three patients were seen in emergency unit of A. B. U. Teaching Hospital, Kaduna. One hundred and nineteen (43.6%) patients were admitted. The human and material resources were inadequate. Emergency resuscitations were carried out. Twenty-two laparotomies were performed without antibiotic cover. Many problems were encountered, as there was no established disaster management team. There was no adequate transportation system to convey the victims into the hospital and resuscitation materials were inadequate. We recommend that a standard disaster management team be established in our major hospitals and such hospitals should be well equipped to cope with these emergencies

(Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2:144-147)


KEY WORDS:

Civil conflict, emergencies, casualty, disaster management team, facility