Waqas A. Khan

Top Menu

Main Menu

Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login

logo

Waqas A. Khan

  • Afghan Peace Process

  • Cyber Crime Bill and Human Rights in Pakistan

  • Shanghai not SAARC

  • چھانگا مانگا جنگل کی بحالی

  • Fake Computer Science Education in Pakistan

  • The Dead Muslim Ummah, European Refugee Crisis

  • Pakistani Basmati Rice and Cheating

  • Franchising Low-quality Education in Pakistan

  • Fake PhDs, Substandard Research in Pakistan

  • Global Warming in Pakistan

  • Stillbirths in Pakistan

  • 21st-Century Vision for Pakistani Girls

  • Fake Assessment and Punjab Examination Commission

  • The Problem With Heroes

  • Article on the taxation of IT Industry

  • Minorities, Religion and the Duress, Case of Forced-Conversions in Pakistan

  • Pakistani needs Mobile Phone; not Electricity

  • Deforestation destroys 60pc of Changa Manga

  • Q-League turns into PPP-Q

  • Guru sees PPP double standards on dual nationality

Articles
Home›Articles›Helping the helpless

Helping the helpless

By Waqas A. Khan
13/05/2017
403
0
Share:

Samaritans laws, infrastructure or behavioural change

From 2004-2013 that shows an average of 15 people die on Pakistan’s roads each day. And an alarming 55 percent of people injured in accidents die on the spot or because of emergency assistance delays

Along our highways and motorways, many of us have witnessed unfortunate victims laying on ground, crying for help after being involved in an accident. Dozens will stop, see the faces of their countrymen, their broken bones and blood pouring from their bodies, but who among us has offered our vehicles to rush these desperate souls to the hospital?

Instead, satisfied that the victims are not friends or relatives, the most we offer is to call 1122 or 15 to summon first-responders or officials. Although throughout the major cities of Punjab — and on the national highway — the response of rescue rate of 1122 has been quite impressive. But the response facility is not readily available to 70 percent of Pakistanis in Punjab, Sind, KPK, Baluchistan, AJK and GB who live in villages. So it’s easy to understand that often in these cases, most victims expire either on the spot or during delayed transportation in police vehicles or private carriers in the presence of police.

The quandary I must pose today is this: How, as bystanders, can we fail to tend to our native brothers and sisters — the ill, the injured, those in peril or anyone otherwise incapacitated when we have been ordained to be in a position to offer assistance to fellow humans?

The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics released the data on traffic accidents from 2004-2013 that shows an average of 15 people die on Pakistan’s roads each day. And an alarming 55 percent of people injured in accidents die on the spot or because of emergency assistance delays. In these years 51,416 people died in 97,739 accidents. The accident mortality ratio was highest in Sindh (86pc), followed by Baluchistan (65pc), Punjab (52pc) and KPK (36pc).

Such disturbing data suggests this is an important public policy that needs to be tackled by lawmakers and the government. Until then, there is a dire need to make the emergency help a plausible and rewarding act to attract public response in such situations.

Although the emergency service acts and laws protect volunteers from any legal retribution, liability, claims or demands against them, the practice of trueSamaritan-like acts and laws have failed to alter the behaviour of some doctors. Without painting with too broad a brush, there are too many instances in which victims, who are incapable of paying for the medical services they need, are met with doctors unable to summon non-economic compassion.

And the major hospitals in our cities are failing us as well. These hospitals, as well as the Basic Health Units (BHU), Rural Health Centers (RHC), Tehsil Headquarter Hospitals (THQ) — and in some cases even the District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ) — lack necessary space and facilities to treat such patients.

In a country of 200 million, there are 12 major tertiary-care hospitals in Punjab, with a population of 103 million. The number of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds in these 12 facilities adds up to only 250. Surprised? There are just 34 ICU beds and 54 ventilators at the 1,250 bed Jinnah Hospital in Lahore. Only 48 ventilators are available at the 2,200-bed Mayo Hospital; 43 will be found at the 1,200-bed Services Hospital Lahore. And In South Punjab, the 1,450-bed Bahawal Victoria Hospital has just six ICU beds. Such a paucity of ICU and emergency resources leaves doctors, who already are treating two or three persons on one ICU bed, thoroughly unimpressed by the beautiful Samaritan laws that exist in our country.

Then there are demands for police reports — and other delay tactics — that certainly are not new.

The Punjab Emergency Service Act 2006 provides immunity to volunteers, stating, “an act or omission committed by an employee of the Service, or a volunteer, shall not, if committed in good faith for the purpose of exercising the functions of or assisting the Service, subject such employee or volunteer personally to any legal action, liability, claim or demand.” It further states that all actions, proceedings and claims against any such employee or a volunteer in relation to any act done or omitted to be done in good faith, shall be defended and indemnified by the Service.”

Similar laws exist in other provinces, too. But despite words, there is plausible reticence — and indignation — when being called upon to become involved.

Gawking bystanders routinely hesitate to help victims for fear of police harassment. Repeated questioning by the police, multiple summonses from courts and fear of prosecution for contributing to unintentional accidental deaths prevent these passersby from extending a helping hand.

Then there are the heirs of the victims who pressure police to press murder charges; is it any wonder that drivers who strike others are conditioned to flee? Some unfortunate motorists have fallen victims, themselves, when indignant crowds burned their vehicles and attacked them in retribution for having contributed to someone else’s death.

It certainly doesn’t seem there is sufficient reason to help others in their seminal hours of need. And then there’s this self-serving viewpoint: Police believe that in many cases the first responder has been guilty of committing the same crime he reported, thus rendering any supposed protective immunity illegally moot. But from their point of view, these often are offenders who would go free — and then where would the justice be for the original victim(s)? Court-mandated technology could be helpful here.

But such good intentions must be better defined — and encouraged — within our laws and our land. Eyewitnesses must be comfortable coming forward. To ever get to this point, we much foment trust and encourage people — our brothers and sisters — to willingly help victims in such emergency situations. For example, these volunteers never should have to reveal their identities or personal details.

They should only have to submit to interviews just once. They, along with potential Samaritan rescuers, must never be harassed, intimidated or hassled by the doctors or the courts, either. Oh, and that aforementioned technology — such as video conferencing — should be used to capture and validate their statements.

Outside of the humane boundaries of decency we must finally and forcefully deal with institutional malfeasance. All registered public and private hospitals shall no longer demand money for registration and admission of an injured patient unless the person who has transported the victim is a relative. Those who have been injured must be provided appropriate treatment — and without delay. I call for a minimum of at least two percent of these institutions’ annual lofty profits to be dedicated to providing free treatment for those severely injured and/or incapacitated on our highways.

No, we surely do not need a new Samaritan law; we just need of find and unleash a modicum of human dignity — within police stations, hospitals and our own hardened hearts. Only then will we finally overcome the unacceptable behaviours we too-willingly ignore that contribute to the hundreds of gallons of blood spilled on our nation’s roads and highways each day.

If you dare, close your eyes and ask yourself; “How would I want my friends and/or loved ones treated by our fellow citizens, police and medical treatment centers?”

And you had better decide quickly, because such life-altering moments only take an instant to happen.

Tagsarticles of khan waqasarticles on punjab governmentartilces on pakistan governmentbreaking newsbusinesscricketeconomical conditions of pakistaneconomyeducational newsentertainment & artshealthinternational newsit industry in pakistanlatest articles of khan waqaslatest news in pakistanlatest urdu articleslifestylemagazinenational issues in pakistannational issues of pakistannews and updatespakistan army and governmentpolitical issues in pakistanpolitical relationspunjab government newssciencescience and technologysocial buzzsportstechnology in pakistantoday latest newstoday newsvideosworld news
Previous Article

Tourism in Pakistan

Next Article

Looking for Vajpayee

1
Shares
  • 1
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Waqas A. Khan

Education: To summarize, I am a PhD Scholar in Advanced Assessment and Evaluation at University of Management and Technology, Lahore Pakistan. I hold M.Phil/MS degree in Quality Assurance Management, diploma in “Practical Project Management” from Ateneo De Manila University Philippines, Masters in Education from University of Sargodha, ISO 9001:2008 Lead Auditor Certification from Singapore Quality Institute International Singapore (SQII) and Bechalors in Law (LLB) from Bahauddin Zakria University Multan. Professional Background: Currently, I am working as Director, Hazara Public School & College Changa Manga. The school was built in 1985 by my mother for the poor people of my village. Today, we have more than 3000 student studying in this great educational institution. I do teach in Punjab University to M.Com classes once in a week to keep my flair up. Additionally, I am working as a Bureau Chief for Daily The Nation and Daily Pakistan Observer. Both are the premier English daily newspapers of Pakistan. I started Journalism to use my pen for the service of my society. Journalism is my passion and I also write for a few local Urdu newspapers occasionally. Voluntarily, I work for many societies and organizations including Master Trainer at Centre for Civic Education (CCE) Pakistan, Provincial Coordinator CM Task Force on Human Rights and Rule of Law, Deputy Chairman National Education Council Pakistan®, General Secretary Punjab Education Council (PEC) ®, Master Trainer SAHIL, Fazaldad Human Rights Institute ®, Centre for Peace and Human Rights ® and SYBAN. Previously, I have been working as Country Marketing Manager in Gohar Publishers Pakistan. The company is a leading text book publishing company in Pakistan. By the virtue of my this experience, I was able to visit each and every town of the country and establish my connections across the country. Achievements: In 2014, I was selected for the (ICFJ) International Centre for Journalists (Washigton DC) and State Department USA fellowship. I spent few weeks in USA and worked with Daily Florida Times, State Department and ICFJ to polish my skills and expertise in journalism. During my this visit my main focus was harmony among religions of the world. I have participated in Regional Conference on Diversity, Kathmandu, Nepal in 2011. The Conference was organized by CCE, Govt. of Nepal and Forum of Federations (USA). I got a chance to participate in International Conference on Religion and Media, Tehran, Iran (2009). In 2007, I represented Pakistan at International Conference on Optimizing ICT in Education held at Asian Development Bank HQ at Manila Philippines. I have represented Pakistan in SAARC International Management Seminar held in Delhi (INDIA) 2006. I am in those some professionals of Pakistan who have proved their excellence in many organizations and have attained highest management posts in early 20’s of their age. I have been working as a Master Trainer in “Project Citizen Pakistan”, a school heads, Teachers and students training workshop series focusing on all schools of Pakistan to promote civic sense and encourage students to take active part in democracy and politics as the citizens of Pakistan. Training and Development: I have participated in numerous training, leadership and personality development seminars, conferences, training courses and workshops which have added value to my learning and personality traits. Contact: If you think that I can be of any help to you or can learn from you, do not hesitate to contact me at wacaskhan@gmail.com or +92-300-9119770.

Related articles More from author

  • ArticlesEducation

    Brain drain is not Pakistan’s problem, but it should be

    12/05/2017
    By
  • Articles

    National Milk Crisis; More than 70pc of milk in Pakistan is adulterated

    13/05/2017
    By
  • Articles

    Pathetic State of Pakistan Railways; Government failed to bring Digitization

    12/05/2017
    By
  • Articles

    Tourism in Pakistan

    13/05/2017
    By Waqas A. Khan
  • NewsTechnology and IT

    Samsung Galaxy Note 6 will be launched in August 2016

    13/05/2017
    By
  • Articles

    The real National Action Plan

    13/05/2017
    By

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Also Read

  • ArticlesEducation

    Rise of Fake PhDs; Failure of Higher Education in Pakistan

  • Fake PhDs and Substandard Research in Pakistan
    ArticlesEducation

    Fake PhDs, Substandard Research in Pakistan

  • Training

    Public Education Campaign on Federalism (General Event)

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • 16/03/2018

    Afghan Peace Process

  • 16/03/2018

    Cyber Crime Bill and Human Rights in Pakistan

  • 16/03/2018

    Shanghai not SAARC

  • 12/03/2018

    چھانگا مانگا جنگل کی بحالی

  • 01/03/2018

    Fake Computer Science Education in Pakistan

Latest Comments

Find us on Facebook

logo

Professional Background: Currently, I am working as Director, Hazara Public School & College Changa Manga. The school was built in 1985 by my mother for the poor people of my village.

I hold M.Phil/MS degree in Quality Assurance Management, diploma in “Practical Project Management”.

About us

  • PhD Scholar (Educational Assessment), M.S. (Quality Management) LLB, M.Ed, MBA, ISO(9001:2008) Lead Auditor (Singapore) Hazara Road, Changa Manga, Kasur, Pakistan
  • +92-300-911-977-0
  • wacaskhan@gmail.com
  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Afghan Peace Process

    Afghan Peace Process

    By Waqas A. Khan
    16/03/2018
  • Cybercrime Bill in Pakistan

    Cyber Crime Bill and Human Rights in Pakistan

    By Waqas A. Khan
    16/03/2018
  • Shanghai not SAARC

    Shanghai not SAARC

    By Waqas A. Khan
    16/03/2018
  • Changa Manga

    چھانگا مانگا جنگل کی بحالی

    By Waqas A. Khan
    12/03/2018
  • Afghan Peace Process

    Afghan Peace Process

    By Waqas A. Khan
    16/03/2018
  • Visit to India

    By Waqas A. Khan
    09/09/2006
  • Visit Manila, Philippines

    By Waqas A. Khan
    15/10/2007
  • Attended International Conference on Optimizing ICT for Education at Asian Development Bank, Philippines

    By Waqas A. Khan
    18/10/2007

Photostream

    Follow us

    • Education
    • International Relations
    • Minorities
    • Islam Today
    • Technology and IT
    • Nature
    © Copyright Waqas Khan.Website Desinged by XIT.