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Assessment of Trauma Care Capacity in Karachi, Pakistan: Toward an Integrated Trauma Care System

  • Surgery in Low and Middle Income Countries
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

Pakistan is a lower-middle-income country with a high burden of injuries. Karachi, its most populated city, lacks a trauma care system due to which trauma patients do not receive the required care. We conducted an assessment of the existing facilities for trauma care in Karachi.

Methods

Twenty-two tertiary and secondary hospitals from public and private sectors across Karachi were assessed. The Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care (GETC) tool was used to collect information about the availability of skills, knowledge, and equipment at these facilities.

Results

Among tertiary hospitals (n = 7), private sector hospitals had a better median (IQR) score, 90.4 (81.8–93.1), as compared to the public sector hospitals, 44.1 (29.3–75.8). Among secondary hospitals (n = 15), private sector hospitals had a better median (IQR) score, 70.3 (67.8–77.7), as compared to the public sector hospitals, 39.7 (21.9–53.3).

Discussion

This study identifies considerable deficiencies in trauma care in Karachi and provides objective data that can guide urgently needed reforms tailored to this city’s needs. On a systems level, it delineates the need for a regulatory framework to define trauma care levels and designate selected hospitals across the city accordingly. Using these data, improvement in trauma care systems can be achieved through collaboration and partnership between public and private stakeholders.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge all the public and private hospitals of Karachi who allowed us to conduct the survey. Our thanks to Anoosha Iqbal, Farea Noman Dar, Rida Fatima, and Rimsha Arshad for ensuring meticulous data collection.

Funding

This study did not receive any funding.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Global Health Directorate, Indus Health Network, Plot 3 & 3-A, Sector 47, Korangi Creek Road, Korangi Creek, Karachi, Pakistan

    Mohammad Salman Khalil, Muhammad Nabeel Ashraf & Lubna Samad

  2. Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan

    Asad Latif

  3. Department of Surgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan

    Muhammad Mehmood Alam Atiq & Hasnain Zafar

  4. Dean’s Office, Medical College, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan

    Adil Haider

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  1. Mohammad Salman Khalil
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Correspondence to Mohammad Salman Khalil.

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Khalil, M.S., Latif, A., Ashraf, M.N. et al. Assessment of Trauma Care Capacity in Karachi, Pakistan: Toward an Integrated Trauma Care System. World J Surg 45, 3007–3015 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-021-06234-w

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