The SSGC Head Office Auditorium became the venue for the 78th project of Yes We Do Care (YWDC), which was a seminar on “How to Deal in Different Emergency Situations”, on July 28, 2017.
The event began, after a recitation of some verses from the Holy Quran, with an introductory speech by Nadia Khan Afridi, Founder (YWDC) followed by a documentary on the their initiative “Ambulance Ko Rasta Dey Dou Baba” under whose banner the current seminar also fell. SSGC has remained a proud partner and supporter of the initiative since its inception last year and has facilitated it in many ways, from providing human volunteers, to furnishing the venue for the event, to supplying all necessary paraphernalia.
Ateeq-ur-Rehman, Executive Director (Afzaal Memorial Thalassemia Foundation) was next called on stage, who, after thanking SSGC for their cooperation, emphasized the gravity of emergency situations while regretting that most people did not realize this or at least did not take any positive action towards it. He passionately urged people to do their part for their country.
Subsequently, Major AshiqUllah Wazir, Chief Manager (Customer Relations Department) threw light upon the role that SSGC Emergency Vehicles play in various types of emergency situations, including blasts, collapsed buildings, gas related fires, leakages in the main line, etc. SSGC receives about four emergency calls everyday related to issues of major and minor seriousness. As these calls can come at any time of the day and on any day of the week, the SSGC CRD Emergency Response Team works 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, with some facilities kept standby at all times.
After that, a team from Pakistan Red Cross Society demonstrated actions to be taken in different kinds of health emergency situations, including handling an unconscious person, helping someone who is choking, delivering first aid to wounded people, etc.
Tehseen Siddiqui, Chief Fire Officer (Karachi Fire Brigade Department), speaking on “Handling Fire Emergencies” explained the necessity of getting specialist help during a fire emergency instead of taking the situation in one’s own hands and thereby slowing down the process, or even increasing the amount of destruction. He said the same rule applied to other forms of emergency situations as well, such as building collapses or natural disasters. An interesting observation of his was that water, fire and air, which are essential to human living and therefore, dear friends to us, could also prove our worst enemies causing unaccountable losses to human life and property.
Dr Jai Parkash Bhojwani, Surgeon (The Kidney Centre), while speaking about Burn emergencies, dilated on the various degrees of burn injuries and educated the audience on how to deal with such situations. Contrary to popular belief, he recommended rinsing the injured area in tap water for a slight burn, instead of applying creams or medication without a prescription. Furthermore, he counseled people to get professional assistance without any delay to avoid adverse circumstances.
Shahbaz Islam, AGM (CCD) gave the final presentation at the session, during which he lauded the fearless and self-sacrificing contribution of AbdulSattar Edhi to his country, and the struggles he went through in order to expand the network of ambulances around the country. He also commended the efforts of the management team, thanked the presenters for sharing invaluable information, and praised YWDC and the other organizations involved, for their noble initiative.
The session ended, after the distribution of mementos and Najia Afridi’s uplifting vote of thanks, with the serving of an assortment of culinary delights.