Rescue 1122, ICRC to improve healthcare system

LAHORE

Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer and Reto Stocker, head of delegation International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), signed an MoU on Wednesday at Emergency Services Headquarters to bring about behavioural change among healthcare workers, ambulance staff and public to avoid violence against healthcare workers and medical facilities during emergencies.

Senior officers from Emergency Service and ICRC were present. Speaking on the occasion, Maciej Polkowski, head of the Health Care in Danger Project in Pakistan, said ICRC highly acknowledges the services rendered by founder of Emergency Services Dr Rizwan Naseer for establishment of comprehensive emergency management system in Pakistan and believes that the joint efforts of the ICRC and Rescue 1122 shall bring behavioural change and improve healthcare system with reference to respect and right of the way for ambulances in particular and improving respect for healthcare workers in general.

DG Dr Rizwan Naseer said Punjab Emergency Service alone is managing around 2,000 emergencies daily in all districts of Punjab and the ICRC in collaboration with Emergency Service would definitely help in bringing about a behavioural change amongst healthcare workers and public.

ICRC and Rescue 1122 will train health staff for better communication between doctors and patients which will increase mutual respect. He said the ICRC with its wealth of knowledge and experience is the most appropriate partner to bring change in healthcare system through extensive awareness, trainings and reinforcement activities based on international best practices.