Sindh gets Rescue 1122 service

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah inaugurated the much needed Rescue 1122 service in the province on Tuesday.

While inaugurating the service, CM said the service will be a complete package of rescue, relief, and rehabilitation by connecting it with fire brigade service, and trauma centres all over Sindh.

The inauguration ceremony was organised at Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Sports Complex. The event was attended by provincial ministers, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Saeed Ghani, Bari Pitafi, Shahela Raza, CM Advisors, Murtaza Wahab, Haji Rasool Bux.

CM Murad said during the last decade, there have been several reports of casualties resulting from natural calamities such as recurring heatwaves, flooding, droughts, and other catastrophes such as accidents, fires, explosions, or epidemics.

He said that due to unprecedented trends of urban expansion and recurring natural and human-induced disasters, the need for such a service was essential.

CM said that it was the duty of the provincial government to undertake the measures to ensure public safety and healthcare by addressing different emergencies."Fifty ambulances out of 230 are being launched in the city in the first phase and later on the services will be expanded in other divisions and districts of the Province," the CM announced.

He disclosed that a proposal for scaling up the Rescue stations in all districts of Sindh was being negotiated with the World Bank and will be replicated in the remaining 24 districts of the province soon.

CM Shah thanked Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for his support to launch 1122 Rescue Service with the technical help of Punjab Rescue Service.

Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, CM Advisor on Rehabilitation Haji Rasool Bux Chandio, CM Advisor on Law Murtaza Wahab, Country Director World bank Najy Benhassaine and Asif Memon also addressed the occasion.

Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said, "There are already 85 ambulances available in Thatta, Sajawal, and Karachi. However, 50 more ambulances were being integrated into the system which will have advanced trauma, cardiac and obstetric life support facilities available inside the ambulances". Dr Azra further stated that aside from the ambulance services there will also be rapid response centres starting from Mirpur Mathelo and going on till Gambat, Moro, Hyderabad, Nooriabad, and Malir Karachi.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2022.