Victims of terrorism: Forman Christian likely to house trauma care centre

International expert says it is a very important area of development

LAHORE: Experts from around the world gathered at a workshop to discuss the feasibility of setting up a trauma care centre for the victims of terrorism in Pakistan.

The session began with CPPG Director Dr Shafqat welcoming over 80 participants with a diverse audience, including psychologists, medical doctors, pediatricians, faith groups, NGOs, pediatricians, academics and student participants.

The workshop was organised at the Forman Christian College University (FCCU) Centre for Public Policy and Governance (CPPG).

Dr Shafqat thanked Dr Mathew Jeong for his work in coordinating the event and initiating a discussion on this very important subject. "



FCCU Rector Dr James Tebbe said that it was an area of development that was very important to a nation's wellbeing. "Trauma victims require greater attention, given that we live in an era where such incidents are frequent, despite the decline in recent years," he added.

Dr Jeong said that Pakistan ranked fourth in terms of terrorism and violence, but there was no mechanism to look after the victims. "However, positive development has been the progress in police departments where there is an emphasis on infrastructure and management for officers dealing with incidents of violence."

The workshop included a series of testimonies where people shared their stories of experiencing violence in their families and communities. Dilawar Samar, team leader of the Care Team of the All Saints Church in Peshawar, talked about the twin suicide attacks that took place on September 22, 2013, killing around 98 people and injuring 200 at the church. He also lost his six-year-old daughter in the incident. Amir, another member, relayed his experience in the Peshawar attack and highlighted the lack of medical assistance and paramedic services which ultimately lead to an increase in deaths.



A psychologist, Julia, and member of the Care Team of the All Saints Church, explained that the victims of these suicide bomb attacks face a variety of psychological effects, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), chronic pains, depression, anxiety, loss of scholastic and occupational functions and substance abuse to name a few.

Summing up the proceedings of the workshop, Dr Shafqat pointed out the need of setting up a National Trauma Centre that could collect data on the victims of terrorism and their families and provide relief, psychological counselling and rehabilitation for the victims.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2018.