The victim’s management committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Plateau State in collaboration with the department of clinical psychologists in JUTH has today 16th March commenced a trauma healing program for victims of the January 14 Campaign rally accident at the Ampang community, Mangu Local Government, Plateau State.
Recall that the supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State were involved in two accidents during their rallies in January 2023. The first auto crash took place on Tuesday, January 10, at Bisichi in Jos South Local Government Area when the supporters who were mostly women were heading to Shendam for campaign flag-off and left 11 persons injured. The second road mishap occurred on Saturday, January 14, along Panyam Road while they were returning from the zonal campaign rally in Pankshin which perished 15 persons and left 68 others badly injured.
All the victims, who sustained various degrees of injuries ranging from the spinal cord, and leg amputation and underwent different kinds of surgeries have been discharged from the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and other private hospitals in the state where they were treated.
Chairman of the committee, Prof. Shedrack Best represented by Dr. Chomo Datiyi, secretary of the committee in his address stated that the program is aimed at ensuring that the Survivors and family members of the accident victims are able to go on with their lives and integrate back into the community.
“It is important to address the trauma the victims and their families might have gotten from the accident because we understand that it will be a bit difficult to continue living like before. that’s why we are here to offer psycho-social therapy to them. The therapy will last for a period of four to five weeks and it will vary depending on the degree of trauma and injury of each victim.”
While addressing newsmen Dr. Datiyi added that all the patients on admission have been discharged and the follow-up medical bills have been paid for, while those who lost their limbs will be provided artificial limbs subsequently, orphans will be awarded scholarships and widows empowered.
Amb. Chikas Konle, a member of the PDP accident victim committee stated that the committee was set up to ensure that non of the accident victims were neglected.
“The committee was initiated by the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang having paid the medical bills of the victims. Our committee was not set up to distribute palliative. It was mainly to ensure that persons who sustained injuries and who were in admission at different medical facilities received excellentcare and support and were not abandoned.”
The head of the medical team and a clinical psychologist in JUTH, Dr. Solomi Daban said the Psychological well-being of every individual is very important and all parties will be attended to. She also assured the victims that their information and mental state will be kept confidential throughout the process.
Dr. Innocent Isame, A chief resident psychiatrist, JUTH stated that long and short-term rehabilitation will be done for the victims so that they can be able to return back to their formal lives occupationally, socially, emotionally, and Physically.
“A review of the different strengths of the victims will be accessed and then helped to earn their living themselves. Rehabilitation of the victim’s families and community will also be done so that they will not be subjected to neglect or discrimination which might lead to depression for the victims and their families. So we will be doing acute trauma support to change their negative mindset and also long-term trauma support for example in cases where victims will not want to travel again. We also want to ensure the victims don’t end up becoming substance abusers or get involved in any negative vises.
Reacting to the program, Yakubu Progress, one of the victims who sustained spinal cord injuries, shared his healing process and expectation from the program.
“During my last hospital visits, I could feel pain in my legs which is a good sign. Although I sometimes feel depressed I know that am not the first person in this kind of situation and I will recover from it and will eventually go back to school. I will appreciate financial assistance as getting to the clinic for my physiotherapy sessions every week is difficult due to lack of money.”
Another victim, Lonji Luka said he hopes to receive the artificial leg soon as that will assist him to start earning a living.
The preceding pastor of a COCIN church in the community and also a member of the accident victim committee, Rev. Emmanuel Dogo promised that the church will do everything the can to help the victims and their families.
