Prompt action by Rescue 1122 saves people’s lives

Over 4,970 were shifted to hospitals by patient transfer services

RAHIM YAR KHAN/ SARGODHA: During the past six months, rescue 1122 received a total of 36,411 calls of which 14,087 were emergencies, 4,044 related to traffic emergencies and 264 were related to fire incidents. Besides, 285 calls were related to crime, 11 were drowning incidents, 8,326 were medical cases, while three were related to building collapses. Only one call was reported involving a cylinder blast, Express News has learnt.

The figures were released in the half-yearly statistics published by District Emergency Officer Dr Abdul Babar.

Data revealed that the rescue services also responded to 1,153 medical cases and shifted 14,768 patients to the hospital. Of the medical emergencies, 581 patients were reported dead on arrival.

Over 4,900 people were injured in 4,044 road accidents during the past six months. The injured comprised 3,898 men and 1,003 women. The death toll in road crashes was 68.

About 2,400 accidents were caused due by speeding, while rash and negligent driving caused another 1,568 accidents. The highest number of accidents involved motorcycles — 4,521 — followed by 443 car accidents and 472 rickshaws. Heavy vehicles damaged in accidents included 39 buses, 60 pickups/trucks, 25 tractors and one passenger van.



Over 4,970 people were shifted by Rescue 1122 officials through its patient transfer services. The highest number of patient transfer services were availed in Sadiqabad — 1,599 — followed by Khanpur — 1,178 — Liaquatpur  — 1,124 — and Rahim Yar Khan  — 478 —. More than 630 patients belonging to other districts were also shifted to various hospitals.

DEO Dr Abdul Sattar Babar lauded the performance of district services during the past six months. He said that extra-ordinary efforts of the district administration also included plantation drives, traffic awareness campaigns, an improved Rescue Muhafiz Programme and provision of firefighting equipment for homes, educational institutions, offices and industries.

He added that the administration also organised several events for community services, including World Earth Day, Firefighter Day and Health and Safety Day in order to ensure awareness amongst the citizens.

The department also circulated a large number of brochures, booklets and safety calendars to spread awareness amongst the people, while steps were taken to increase flood-fighting capacity of the rescue teams, he maintained.

The DEO pointed out that combined training was given to the rescue workers, while duties and responsibilities for the various departments were delegated through a systematic planning.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2018.