KARACHI: Experts call for adequate training to volunteers: Disaster management
KARACHI, Oct 17: Time coupled with proper planning are prerequisite to combat trauma induced casualties, a fast growing phenomenon in the country - attributable to both man made and natural disasters.
Addressing a seminar on “Management of mass casualties” for RMOs, postgraduate students, house officers and medical students at Dow University of Health Sciences on Monday, experts observed that the situation also enhanced urgency for adequate disaster management training of all health care professionals as well as general public and volunteers.
The programme, organized by the Centre for Skill Development under the supervision of Prof Saleem Illyas, was meant to provide basic information in handling mass casualties to the volunteers who wish to contribute towards rescue, treatment and rehabilitation of disaster affectees.
Prof Ahmed Ali Shah, Prof Mir M. Dahri, Prof Younus Soomro and Prof Saeeda Haider in their respective presentations observed that though resource constraints was a major handicap for countries like Pakistan, proper management could largely prevent massive loss.
For the very purpose, they discussed issues like management of shock; neurosurgical aspects in mass communication; general surgical aspects in mass casualties and orthopaedic management of mass casualties. They called for absolute preparedness in face of emergency situation right from district hospitals to tertiary care institutions.
The speakers also referred to the importance of efficient handling of psychological trauma the victims are often exposed to following their first hand experience to any disaster.
It was regretted that due care was generally found to be lacking in rehabilitation of the victims in context of both psychological and social support of the victims at almost all levels.
Reiterating importance of the fact that time must not be lost in providing proper medical intervention, the experts said that time in providing initial medical assistance ought to be minimal ensuring viable outcome.
Importance of proper training to relief workers including ambulance drivers carrying victims from site of disaster to health care facility was also emphasized.
On the occasion, a live demonstration was presented by CHK’s general surgery department head Dr Naheed Sultana and her team reflecting the care and caution be adhered to by ambulance drivers and volunteers transporting victims from one place to another.
It was stressed that all health care providers as well as relief workers need to take due care of “ABC” i.e. air way, breathing and circulation.
“Under such conditions where gadgets may not be available, all medical students, junior doctors as well as all medical professionals along with volunteers concerned must be capable enough to gauge the condition of victims,” they observed.
Elaborating her stance, Dr Naheed Sultana said that workers must be well versed as why to necessarily place air tubes in mouths of trauma victims, solid support beneath their waist and air-collar beneath neck.
She also answered queries raised by volunteers present at the seminar. —APP
