Pakistan is a disaster prone country therefore it is necessary to have emergency plan in every hospital at federal, provincial, district and tehsil level.
This was stated by Caretaker Federal Minister for Health, Ejaz Rahim while addressing the participants of an inauguration ceremony of the Hospital Preparedness for Emergencies (Hope) course at the Health Services Academy and its role and functions here on Thursday. Minister for Population Welfare Professor Dr A J Khan was also present on the occasion.
"Lady health workers at the district and tehsil levels are to be given the required skills for disaster preparedness as they outreach the households for an integrated response to disasters. The districts nazims should be responsible for preparing and executing plans to cope with emergencies and disasters," said the Minister.
He stressed the necessity for development of individual action plans for federal hospitals in collaboration with the Health Services Academy (HSA), which should ensure that plans are prepared, discussed and put in place.
He appreciated the efforts of National Disaster Management Authority, HSA and PEER (Programme for Enhancement of Emergency Response), National Society for Earthquake Technology, Nepal for conduction of the course. The course is being attended by 24 participants from AJ&K, NWFP, Pak Army and Ministry of Health. The course will last till 27th of January.
Observers have expressed surprise that even after the 8th October 2005 earthquake that killed, injured and made homeless thousands of persons, the government is still looking forward to have an emergency preparedness plan by every hospital. The government should have taken such an initiative after experiencing that heart-rending catastrophe.
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