There are serious concerns about the #endbadgovernment and #daysofrage planned protests in Nigeria. While this writer acknowledges the constitutional right of all Nigerians to peaceful protests, it is pertinent to emphasize the ill timing of this protest, as the Nigerian police, military, DSS, and other security agencies have reiterated that some hoodlums are planning to hijack the planned peaceful protest to cause anarchy in the country. There are concerns that the organizers of the said protests are unorganized, faceless, and irresponsible.
Dr. MKO Abimbola wishes to appeal to everyone not to participate in the protest. However, if you want to be part of this unorganized event, then, you should be mindful of certain medical implications.
What are the common medical concerns of protesters?
Unfortunately, unless well organized and secured, there are common injuries associated with protests. Ideally, every well-organized protest should have a medical canopy to provide on-the-spot first aid to injured people. Protesters most commonly present to the emergency department with abrasions, lacerations, and hematomas, but when fired on at close range, protesters can suffer traumatic brain injuries, bone fractures, and serious abdominal injury, including injuries to the spleen, bowel, and major blood vessels or death.
Dehydration is a widespread medical condition especially when the weather is hot. Elderly people are more prone to acute dehydration. It is advisable to carry a small bottle of water for hydration.
People who are diabetic should be mindful of hypoglycemic episodes. People with hypertension should use their medications to prevent acute complications. People with heart conditions should be mindful of heart attacks, especially in noisy protest environments. Asthmatic people should have a rescue inhaler handy. Generally, protest grounds may not be an ideal place for people who have phonophobia, sonophobia, ligyrophobia, agoraphobia, athazagoraphobia, enochlophobia, ochlophobia, etc.
Also, the psychiatric complications related to living, working, or attending school near the location of a violent protest can increase the risk of depressive symptoms. Similarly, witnessing violence or being a victim of looting or physical violence is associated with an increased risk of Post Traumatic Stress Depression, PTSD.
Some Tips for Safety
— Avoid direct police confrontation.
— Maintain physical distancing and do not have close physical contact with others, as respiratory diseases can easily spread.
— Do not run, or jump.
— Use ONLY water to treat pepper spray.
— Keep your phone locked, safe and protect your cell phone privacy.
— Do not bring your entire wallet. Protect your identity and the identity of others.
— Do not be involved in vandalism, assaults, and other dangerous undertakings during protests.
— If the situation turns violent, seek the nearest safe or hiding space. Lying down is considered the best hiding position.
— If you are hit and bleeding, get a tourniquet to prevent excessive blood loss. Get help at the nearest medical center.
What can go wrong in a protest?
Sometimes law enforcement must use equipment to protect peaceful protesters and keep protests safe. However, if this equipment is used abusively, it can undermine protesters’ human rights. Protesters face a growing risk of serious injury – and even death – at the hands of security forces.
Some people had been stampeded to death during peaceful protests. Hoodlums have used the associated disorganization to steal valuables from other protesters- do not bring your valuables to the venue. Other unscrupulous elements like armed robbers, petty thieves, rapists, and arsonists have used peaceful protest to foment troubles. Some protesters have been arrested such that they continue to languish in the labyrinth of the Nigerian Prison Service.
Please, be safe if you must join the protest!!!
MKO Abimbola holds a doctoral degree in physician associate studies from the United States of America. He is a Harvard Medical School scholar, who specializes in Internal medicine, Acute care, Emergency Medicine, Geriatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgical services.
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