KARACHI - Situation unfolding fast in the backdrop of risk associated with terrorism besides other untoward instances demands preparedness that will affect not only emergency and trauma services but also other medical, para-medical, administrative, logistics and security functions at health care facilities in the country, said  Joint Executive Director and In-charge, Emergency and Accident Department, Dr. Seemien Jamali here on Sunday.
In her elaborate presentation, "Preparedness and Rapid Response to a Mass Casualty Event, at a session organised by Surgical ICU - Two, Civil Hospital - Karachi and Pakistan Critical Care Society the speaker largely known for her apt handling of medical emergencies said hospitals are currently faced with  a wide range of challenges - variety of disaster situations, hazard vulnerabilities and emergencies including mass events on account of  terrorism.
"These terrorism-related situations have an impact on the institutions and institutional preparedness," she said.  Dr. Seemien Jamali addressing the administrators and departmental heads said they should necessarily keep in consideration the emerging situation with optimal level of preparedness for simultaneous occurrences as explosion and other mass fatality events.
Referring to key health system challenges in the existing and emerging situation, she said level of preparedness among leadership should be flawless and this demanded close coordination with all relevant departments and staffers with due provision for their training followed by clear organisational responsibilities.
Role of leaders extends far beyond hospitals and emergency departments, she said reiterating that leaders at every level must ensure connectivity; possess situational awareness and above all clarity of mission relevant to nature of incident and its impact.
"For this we need to enhance the quality of existing MCE preparedness and response programme used by medical response entities.
Dr. Seemien recommended need to provide resource tools to all relevant health centres that could be applied during exercises and lower the intensity of emergency events. She also referred to importance of macro planning and the urgent need to address deficiency and shortage of trained medical personnel and supplies.
"Another major challenge we are exposed to is interruption in transportation of casualties and disruption of communication system," she said.
The event was also addressed by President, Pakistan Critical Care Society Prof. Tipu Sultan, and Chairperson, Anesthesiology and Critical - Surgical, ICU - Two, CHK Prof. Sadqa Aftab and others.
Meanwhile, Administrator Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Rauf Akhtar Farooqui said education and training process should go together in the educational institutions. Extra-curricular activities provide good opportunity to children to learn and then use training for the betterment of their career.  He expressed these views while speaking at a prise distribution ceremony of sports competitions held by the Home Arts & Science Academy for its students. Students, their parents and a good number of city dignitaries were attended the programme.
Farooqui appreciating the holding of sports activities for students said that the competitions created the ability of endurance, patience and facing challenges of life. The children would certainly prove to be the best assets for the nation in future. He said that the teachers could play their important role in the elimination of prevailing situation of intolerance in the society. The teachers must therefore prepare the children for a better future of the country.