The impact of small arms on health in Nigeria.
Nigeria, the most populous Black country in the world, though it has contributed to the welfare of other African countries, is plagued by internal conflicts with small arms. Over a million illegal small arms circulate in Nigeria in the hands of militant groups. Over 10,000 may have died in conflicts between these groups and the government. Quality health care is unavailable in much of the country, and small arms injuries often overstretch emergency health care. A national committee has been set up to implement the ECOWAS moratorium on small arms and light weapons, but much remains to be done.
John
Ime Akpan
IA
Society of Nigerian Doctors for the Welfare of Mankind, Kano, Nigeria. imejohn@yahoo.com
D000354:Africa, Western; D002959:Civil Defense; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics; D005389:Firearms / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011057:Politics; D011634:Public Health; D014857:Warfare; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*