A pragmatic evaluation of trauma care: an evidence from the province of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract Road Traffic Accident (RTA) injuries pose a public health challenge which significantly impacts the human capital development. The Punjab Economic Research Institute (PERI) conducted a study to assess the frequency, causes of trauma injuries, distribution, and need and gap analysis of trauma centers in the province of Punjab. For gap/situational analysis, information was extracted through a structured questionnaire from randomly selected 8 District Head Quarters hospitals, 6 Teaching hospitals and 8 independent trauma centers. According to the data of Rescue 1122, 70% of RTA injuries involved the age group 11-40 years. In 64% of the RTA cases the vehicle involved was a motorbike. The major RTA injuries were leg fractures 17% and head injuries 10%. Over speeding 44% and careless driving 33% were the major causes of RTAs. Noted was a shortage and mismatch between human resources and equipment in the trauma treatment facilities....... Continuous......