Out of the shadows and into the sunshine

MANILA, Philippines – Motorcycle accidents are virtually a mainstay of the daily news reports. But has the public become inured to images of bloodied victims stretched out on gurneys or sprawled on the roads? The crashes continue to occur and the numbers are escalating, so that one would think that riders persist with their reckless ways. The gory images shown on screen or in print should be effective deterrents to irresponsible driving, especially as vehicular accidents can lead to permanent disabilities. But the reality is that with cheap deals on motorcycles, more people who know close to nothing about road safety have taken to the streets.

At a recent forum on disability prevention and rehabilitation, Dr. Jose Pujalte Jr, president of the Philippine Orthopedic Association, confirms, “Motorcycle accidents are already a public health problem.”

Statistics from 2004 show that 493,500 motorcycle-related accidents were listed in the Philippines. It is believed that because accidents are under-reported, the actual figures could be higher.

Since victims stay an average of 13 days confined in the hospital, and spend about P12,000 P40,000 for treatment, the financial burden to patients and their families is significant. The majority or 87 percent of the victims have a mean age of 27.7 years and belong to the economically active segment of society. More, says Dr. Pujalte, “When one takes into context that the minimum daily wage is merely P350, it is easy to comprehend that these types of accidents add a strain to limited public health funds.”

Thus, the advocacy of the Philippine Orthopedic Association to promote road safety and prevent motorcycle-related trauma and disability is noteworthy.

“Disability is an evolving concept and should be everyone’s concern,” says Gigi Ruiz, executive director of the National Council for Disability Affairs (NCDA). She points out, “A gentle reminder: The correct terminology is not ‘disabled,’ but rather ‘people with disabilities (PWDs).’ People with disabilities cannot be taken away from issues of development. We need to participate fully in the development of the nation, in the development of the field of rehabilitation medicine and medicine in general. We have to be partners with our professionals because the decisions should not be at the tip of the doctors’ pen alone; the decisions should also be ours.”

She notes that the difficulties of PWDs are compounded by the fact that many of them live below the poverty line. “Eighty percent live in rural areas without access to education, health, and livelihood.” To aid the disabled, the NCDA has established a “critical illness fund.” 

“FUND stands for Fund for the Upliftment of the Needy Disabled,” explains Dr. Reynaldo Rey-Matias, president of the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine. His specialization is devoted to care, retraining, and rehabilitation of patients; and a key factor in rehabilitation is helping PWDs discover their special abilities and find employment.

“Community support is important,” says Corazon Alma de Leon, board member of the World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation who believes that the advocacy should be everyone’s concern. “Health must be in the hands of the people, and the reality that we have to contend with is that the poor suffer more. The best future for people with disabilities is to get them out of the shadows and into the sunshine by helping them make use of their special abilities.”

Gigi Ramos agrees, “I am in my wheelchair, but I am not disabled. We can do things because we have the ability. Disability is part of the human cycle. Everyone develops some type of temporary disability. And although a condition can become permanent, life does not stop at a disability. Life goes on.”