Compliance with Traffic Laws Can Prevent 70% of Accidents: DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah
Trauma Awareness Week Promotes Public Safety and Social Responsibility: Dr. Sabir Memon
By Qurban Ali Khushik
KARACHI: Protecting human life from preventable risks is a shared responsibility of every individual, institution, and society as a whole. This was stated during a ceremony held on the second day of Trauma Awareness Week 2026 at the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma (SMBBIT), Karachi.
The second day's programme focused on the theme, “How Can We Prevent Injuries and Accidents in Our Society?” and featured an inter-institutional discussion on strategies to reduce injuries and promote public safety.
Addressing the gathering, SMBBIT Director Dr. Sabir Memon said that raising public awareness through Trauma Awareness Week was an important social responsibility. He highlighted the serious consequences of reckless driving, speeding, failure to wear helmets and seat belts, and disregard for traffic laws, noting that such behaviour could have devastating effects on individuals and their families.
Dr. Memon said the primary objective of the awareness campaign was to educate the public about injury prevention and encourage safer behaviour on roads. He stressed that understanding the causes of accidents, increasing public awareness, and making safe driving a social norm were essential to reducing preventable injuries.
He revealed that more than 550 patients were brought to Karachi's trauma centre every day, adding that approximately 80 per cent of them recovered. He also stated that the institute was among the advanced trauma-care facilities in Pakistan and Asia where patients received treatment entirely free of charge.
DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah emphasized the importance of following traffic regulations, stating that compliance with traffic laws could prevent 70 per cent of accidents. He underscored the need for responsible driving practices and greater public cooperation to improve road safety.
The event was attended by distinguished guests and representatives from various health and emergency response institutions, including Professor Anis Bhatti; Dr. Abid Jalal, Chief Operating Officer of Rescue 1122; Dr. Jameel, Head of the Emergency Department at Dow Trauma Hospital; Dr. Mukhtiar Bhayo of the World Health Organization (WHO), Sindh; Dr. Nousheen, Deputy Executive Director of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre; and Deputy Superintendent of Police Ali Sawad.
The participants shared their perspectives on accident prevention, emergency response, and the importance of coordinated efforts among healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and rescue services to build a safer society.
