KATHMANDU, AUGUST 28
Devi Acharya, once a young woman driven to the brink of despair after a road accident, transformed her struggle into strength, rising from thoughts of taking her own life to proudly representing Nepal on the global stage as an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.
According to Nepal Police statistics, over the past decade, 24,095 individuals have been killed in road accidents nationwide. During this period, 51,248 people sustained severe injuries and amputations from a total of 160,928 reported accidents. Additionally, more than 150,000 individuals suffered minor injuries.
While maneuvering her wheelchair around her rented room in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu, Acharya reflected on the tragic incident that occurred near Kawasati in Nawalparasi district in 2004, as she was traveling from Kathmandu to her hometown of Butwal.
"I don't recall anything except waking up in a hospital bed in Chitwan, unable to feel anything below my waist. The realization that I was paralyzed from the waist down was profoundly affecting."
Acharya stated that road accidents are all too common in Nepal, attributing them to factors such as poor road conditions, inadequately maintained vehicles, lax enforcement of rules and regulations, and driver negligence. She made this point in reference to the tragic hit-and-run accident that claimed her father's life in Butwal.
Acharya shared, "Surviving as a road accident victim with a spinal injury in Nepal is profoundly challenging. We face numerous obstacles, and the realities we endure are often hard for the general public to comprehend."
Social-economic issues are paramount:
The necessity of a caregiver places a substantial burden on families, leading to gradual withdrawal by family members. Friends and relatives often follow suit, resulting in exclusion from social events. This is disheartening, as we are human beings with feelings and emotions that are frequently overlooked.
Families often face significant financial strain when caring for road accident victims, especially when there is little hope of recovery or returning to normal life. The costs associated with providing care and meeting basic needs place a considerable burden on families, compounding their financial difficulties," Acharya shared.
"Owing to these factors, some individuals may even take their own lives, feeling themselves a burden to their families."
Mental health issues:
The absence of appropriate mental health counseling for road accident victims made it exceedingly difficult for me to accept my disability. Some individuals even resort to suicide, feeling worthless and like a burden to their families.
Even today, access to proper mental health support remains limited, making it incredibly challenging to cope emotionally in this digitized world, Acharya lamented.
Healthcare
Access to healthcare, crucial for our survival, is inadequate. Regular changes of diapers, urine bags, and medical check-ups are essential, but healthcare in Nepal is prohibitively expensive.
The government's support of Rs 2,130 for Category B spinal injury victims scarcely covers their basic needs. The support is divided into four categories, with each category receiving government assistance accordingly.
Additionally, victims often suffer from skin conditions due to sores and other issues, and obtaining healthcare is particularly challenging for those in remote areas," Acharya noted.
Sexual and Reproductive Issues
Recently, sexual and reproductive challenges have led to a troubling trend of physically impaired spouses abandoning each other. Many women have left their husbands to marry other men, while men have returned their wives to their parental homes.
Although this issue often goes unnoticed, numerous underlying problems remain hidden from view, shared Acharya.
Rehabilitation and Integration:
Access to rehabilitation programs for spinal injury victims is limited in Nepal. With only one center in Kavre and another in Pokhara, many individuals struggle to access these essential services.
The lack of government support exacerbates the difficulties victims face in integrating into society, as they often encounter significant barriers to employment and other opportunities, Acharya said referring her own ordeal.
Political rights:
Despite Nepal's status as a signatory to international laws concerning the rights of disabled individuals, the progressive acts are largely confined to paper.
The ineffective implementation of these laws impedes our ability to exercise our rights and access health services, employment, and opportunities.
Disability-unfriendly infrastructure:
Even Kathmandu, the capital city, lacks disability-friendly infrastructure, adding significant challenges to the daily lives of people with disabilities. "We do not have adequate infrastructure to support people with disabilities in commuting around Kathmandu. Imagine the situation outside the valley," Acharya said.
Had there been accessible infrastructure in schools, colleges, and offices, individuals with disabilities could achieve independence, contribute to the economy, and pay taxes according to their capacity, Acharya noted.
Lack of effective rescue provisions
In Nepal, the current rescue efforts for road accident victims are managed by the police and armed forces, with unclear responsibilities regarding the role of paramedics. Unlike in developed nations, where security forces secure the scene until paramedics arrive, Nepal's approach often results in further complications.
Acharya notes that the security forces, lacking specialized training, frequently move victims hastily, exacerbating their injuries. "The indiscriminate handling of bodies can displace veins and worsen fractures," Acharya warns, urging government action to address this issue.
Devi Dutta Acharya, President of the National Federation of Disabled Nepal, stated, "The government must effectively enforce policies and laws to support disabled individuals and promptly fulfill its commitments regarding disability."
Way forward
The government must address road accidents with urgency and ensure that probe committee recommendations are effectively implemented to reduce incidents nationwide. Adhering to these reports will be crucial for minimizing road accidents in Nepal.
Timely road maintenance, stringent enforcement of road safety rules, an effective trial and licensing system, public awareness campaigns, and strict adherence to traffic regulations are essential for controlling road accidents, Acharya emphasized.
