The government of NWFP has decided to launch 'Emergency Ambulance Service' under 'Rescue 1122', as a pilot project in Peshawar on analogy of Punjab model. This facility would be gradually extended to other parts of the province.
The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting-cum-briefing chaired by Chief Secretary Riaz Noor here on Friday. Additional Chief Secretary, Vice-Chancellor, Khyber Medical University Peshawar, Secretaries of Home, Local Govt, Transport, Police officials, DG Health, Chief Executive of teaching hospitals, authorities of Civil Defence, CD&MD, representatives of GTZ and other concerned departments attended the meeting.
The Chief Secretary directed the authorities concerned to put in place the rescue service within a month. He also directed the authorities to broaden the concept of emergency handling to effectively meet all sorts of natural and other emergency situations and disasters such as earthquake, floods, road traffic accidents, fires, explosions, epidemics, etc.
He constituted a broad-based task force and a monitoring committee comprising police, health authorities, local government, finance, home, civil defence, elected representatives of civil society, foreign and domestic NGOs, etc. The mandate of the task force and committee will be to prepare recommendations to evolve an effective disaster-management strategy at provincial and district levels compatible with international standards to minimise loss of life and property during disasters to the possible extent.
The Health Department officials briefed the meeting about the development of Emergency Rescue services and short and long term strategy evolved by the department. The meeting was told that health department was going to establish six suitable strategically located centres in the city with a view to reach the site of incident in minimum time.
These centres would be established at children hospital, Haji camp, Lady Reading Hospital, Rural Health Centre Nahaqi, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Hamayatabad Medical Complex and City Hospital, Kohat Road. Patients' referral mechanism would be strengthened/established one each in teaching hospitals plus city hospital besides revamping /upgrading of accident and emergency centres (A&E) in the above hospitals. Likewise, paramedical staff would be imparted proper training in collaboration with donor agencies to handle emergent situation.
Besides, 12 ambulances having all modern equipment and wireless system would be provided to the emergency units. It merits mention that GTZ is already working with the Home Department to formulate an effective district management plan. Apart from that, NWFP Emergency Act would be promulgated on the analogy of Punjab to give legal cover to disaster related initiatives.
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