KARACHI, Feb 16: Rapid entry into emergency medical service, provision of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and early defibrillation can prevent two-third sudden deaths , as cardio-pulmonary arrest is one of the most prominent medical emergencies.

This was stressed at a Basic Life Support (BLS) workshop organized by the Cardiology Department of the Civil Hospital Karachi, the first by the hospital, at the Dow University of Health Sciences on Wednesday. More than 30 students and medical practitioners were imparted training in the workshop.

Highlighting the aims and objectives of the workshop, the head of the cardiology department and chairperson of BLS, Prof Khalida Soomro, said the training would help develop a systematic approach with organized procedure to cope with emergencies like cardio-pulmonary arrest.

She said that RMOs, medical officers, nurses and ambulance drivers as well as school children would be included for participation in these courses. She said the workshop organised to train medical professionals and DUHS students was essential in the face of a constant surge in the incidence of cardiac diseases coupled with reported inadequacies on the part of general practitioners in ensuring proper firsthand medical support.

She pointed out that mortality rate related to cardio-pulmonary emergencies, including cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and chocking due to foreign body respiration, could be decreased by comprehending basics of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, including circulation and respiration using technique of external compression of chest wall, plus restoration of expired air inflation of lungs.

According to her, emphasis was on preventing deaths, which were common on roadsides or in hospitals due to cardiac or respiratory arrest. Earlier, Dr Abu Talib of Civil Hospital Karachi delivered the welcome address.

Later, Dow varsity's vice-chancellor Prof Masood Hameed Khan said such workshops would be mandatory for postgraduate students and they would not be issued certificate for appearing in FCPS exams without participating in them.

He said, the workshop, to emerge as a regular feature at the DUHS, would initially cover doctors and medical students of the varsity, but will soon be followed by similar sessions for CHK paramedics as well.

Prof Masood said they would entertain the requests of any medical college for conducting such workshops and would train their students. He, on the occasion, announced another specialised training programme called "Advanced Cardiac Life Support" scheduled to commence at the Dow varsity in the next six months.

Maintaining that prevention must be the cornerstone for any health care programme, the VC called upon the workshop participants to emerge as master trainers further spreading the training to other individuals.

Dr Abdul Rauf Memon, Dr Hasina and Dr Kashif were facilitators of the workshop. A movie was also pictured on the occasion followed by live demonstration of BLS, ACLS, discussions and hands-on practice. Certificates were later distributed among the participants. - PPI/APP