Life Empangeni Private Hospital celebrates World Trauma Day
Commemorated on Sunday, 17 October, World Trauma Day focuses on saving and protecting a life during the most critical moment of an emergency, preparing and applying critical measures to deal with and avoid trauma fatalities.
The day was also the celebration of National EMS Day, which aims to recognise the important role of EMS (emergency medical services) in achieving universal health coverage in southern Africa.
In recognition of both World Trauma Day and National EMS Day, Life Empangeni Private Hospital carried out a live demonstration outside the hospital’s Accident and
Emergency unit on Monday, 18 October.
Both the hospital staff and members of the public were able to watch the live simulation of two injured patients, from point of incident to assistance on scene by paramedics, through to stabilisation and en route to the emergency unit at the hospital.
‘This day is also about celebrating and recognising our emergency services personnel that work tirelessly, often putting their own safety on the line,’ says hospital manager John Fidler.
‘We would like to thank all emergency personnel for their bravery, dedication and passion in the role they play in saving lives every day,’ he says.
According to the World Health Organisation, trauma is a major cause of death and disability across the world.
World Trauma Day highlights the increasing rate of accidents and injuries and need to prevent them. It also focuses on the critical role of effective pre-hospital trauma care during the life– threatening moments after a crash when efficient emergency services can have a significant impact on minimising injuries and trauma fatalities.
Life Empangeni Private Hospital plans to host a World Trauma Day event every year for the public to get a glimpse of what the emergency services and trauma unit deal with on a daily basis and the value they add to our lives.