Dr. Junaid Abdul Razzak, Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornel Medicine, USA called on Governor Sindh Imran Ismail at Governor’s House here Monday. Member of Provincial Assembly Sindh Ali Aziz GG and Dr Saufuddin Siddiqui of Meritorious Group of Institutions were also present on the occasion.
Professor Dr Junaid Abdul Razzak is the founding convener (Dean) of Emergency Medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Pakistan. His current research focus is on implementing and measuring health system innovations for enhancing access to emergency healthcare for vulnerable populations especially in low and middle income countries. He is interested in studying innovations that will help emergency care system development in low resource settings of Pakistan.
Governor Sindh while highlighting the significance of access to emergency care system said that emergency care was an essential part of the health system and serves as the first point of contact. In times of mass emergency events – including natural disasters, conflict and outbreaks like COVID-19 the need for care for injuries and other acute conditions increases. “When anyone in an emergency, every minute counts”, he underlined.
He further said that the people living specially in a rural community continue to have unequal access to emergency care. Remote and Rural areas continue to suffer from shortage of medicines as well as limited access to emergency physicians. “We need to research, collaborate, contribute and ultimately develop practical solutions for these pressing issues to continue to safeguard our nation’s emergency care safety net”, he added.
Dr Junaid Abdul Razzak stressed for mobilising the youths to acquire primary emergency care training so as to become instrumental in saving human life in case of real emergency. He said for this purpose he wanted to impart this training to students of universities. He further said that emergency care training might be included in schools and colleges curriculum to expand the care net. He also informed that such training schedule is being commenced for Karachi police personnel during the next week as well.
The Governor Sindh appreciated the spirit and efforts of Dr. Junaid Abdul Razzak and assured him of full assistance in developing such health care facilities in the province. He directed his Principal Secretary Dr Saif Ur Rehman to write letter to all the Vice Chancellors of universities in the province for training to university students. He further directed for arranging meeting of Dr Junaid Abdul Razzak with Federal Minister Education for discussion over inclusion of emergency health care system topic in the schools and colleges curriculum. He further directed to coordinate with the Rangers Authorities in Karachi for imparting-emergency care training to rangers personnel too.
