The Nigerian Red Cross Society has decried the unauthorised use of sirens by individuals in Nigeria.
Executive Secretary, Musa Abdullahi spoke on Thursday at a workshop on Health Care in Danger (HCiD).
Abdullahi said the practice threatened health and emergency services, especially for those in need of urgent medical attention.
“The rate at which everybody is abusing the use of sirens in this country is worrisome,” NAN quoted him saying.
Abdullahi warned that ambulances conveying sick people or victims of accidents were usually ignored because of siren misuse.
“We should respect the sick and wounded, everyone deserves access to health care at all times,” he added.
Participants at the workshop called for an awareness campaign, and stiffer penalties for unauthorised users of sirens.
They urged the Federal Government to reduce the number of those authorised to use it and increase fines for such abuse from N3,000 to N50,000.
Those permitted to use sirens are the President, Vice President, Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker, their deputies, and Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Others are Governors, deputies, fire service, ambulances; military and para-military agencies (during emergencies).
