04-day Fire Safety training workshop concludes at Mirpur-AJK DHQ Teaching Hospital:

Altaf Hamid Rao MIRPUR (Parliament Times): A four-day training workshop on fire safety and effective response to emergency situations at the Divisional Headquarters and Teaching Hospital Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, concluded here on Wednesday. Commissioner Mirpur Division Raja Tahir Mumtaz attended the concluding ceremony as chief guest. On the occasion, hospital employees who underwent fire safety training demonstrated practical exercises on controlling fires, safely evacuating patients and staff, and ensuring an immediate response during emergencies. Speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz said the first few minutes of any emergency were extremely critical and the prompt and appropriate response of hospital staff could play a vital role in preventing major losses. He stressed the need for effective fire safety arrangements and regular training of staff at hospitals, saying that preventive planning was essential to avoid accidents. He said safety measures in hospitals should not be treated as a mere formality but should be ensured on a permanent basis as part of a comprehensive safety system. The Commissioner appreciated the administration of the Divisional Headquarters and Teaching Hospital Mirpur for organizing the fire safety training workshop. Medical Superintendent of the hospital Professor Dr. Ejaz Ahmed said the basic objective of the four-day workshop was to enhance awareness and practical skills among hospital staff regarding fire safety, emergency response and timely protective measures. He said hospitals accommodated a large number of patients, making it essential for staff to be properly trained and responsible in dealing with any emergency situation. Professor Dr. Ejaz Ahmed said the hospital administration would continue taking measures to further improve the safety of patients, attendants and staff, adding that the skills acquired through the workshop would be incorporated into the hospital's practical safety system. District Health Officer Dr. Fida Hussain also emphasized the need for continuity of fire safety training activities and effective safety measures in both public and private hospitals. Deputy Director Civil Defence Raja Ishtiaq Hussain thanked Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz and Medical Superintendent Professor Dr. Ejaz Ahmed for their personal interest and efforts in making the training workshop possible. He said Civil Defence would continue organizing training activities on fire safety and emergency response in the future. Vice Principal Medical College Professor Dr. Tariq Masood highlighted the importance of fire safety and said that emergency response systems and practical training should be maintained on a regular basis to ensure the safety of patients and medical staff. Director Administration MBBS Medical College Dr. Ejaz Mahmood also appreciated the organization of the workshop, saying that fire safety training for hospital staff could play an important role in protecting precious human lives during any unforeseen emergency. Participants, trainees and guests were provided with proper arrangements throughout the workshop and concluding ceremony, while Mubashir Naeem and the administrative team played an active role in smoothly conducting the practical exercise and other proceedings. Special certificates were distributed among the participants including hospital employees who successfully completed the fire safety training. Those receiving certificates included Taiba Nazakat, Nursing Officer; Amroziya Bibi, Junior Medical Technician; Raqeeb Hussain, Attendant; Qaiser Hussain, Dental Technician; Javed Talib, Junior Medical Technician; Asif Masih, Sanitary Worker; and Jahanzeb Rasiat, Attendant. DMS Dr. Maria Zulfiqar, Dr. Ejaz Chaudhry, Dr. Rizwan Yousaf, Dr. Tanveer Sadiq, Dr. Adnan Marghoob, AMS Owais Zahid, Ward Superintendent Mubashir Naeem, Ward Master Naeem Mir, Ward Master Muhammad Ishaq Gorsi, President Health Employees Association Chaudhry Sajid Hussain, and other doctors, officers and hospital staff attended the ceremony. The participants welcomed the organization of the four-day practical fire safety workshop, saying that such training could play an important role in protecting precious human lives and preventing major losses during any emergency situation at the hospital.