Mass casualty in holy city of Karbala, Iraq: A hospital experience

3^rd Annual Congress and Medicare Expo on Trauma and Critical Care

March 13-14, 2017 London, UK

Emad Geddoa, Ihsan ALshoek, Ameer Gelewkhan and Safeer AL-Hussain

Imam Hussain Medical City, Iraq
Wexham Park Hospital, UK

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Trauma Treat

Abstract :

Statement of the Problem: Kerbala is regarded as one of the holiest cities for the Muslim nations due to the fact that the grandson of prophet Muhammed, Imam Hussain is buried there. The total area of Kerbala is about 5034 square km. It is almost in the centre of Iraq, with a total population of 1.267 million. The estimated number of annual visitors/pilgrims to Kerbala is between 58 to 62 million, and the number is rising. Arbaeen event is the greatest human gathering where 20 to 24 million pilgrims attend Kerbala over a confined peak period of 10 to 12 days, to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain which took place 1337 years ago. Offering standard casual healthcare services face a huge challenge to all those involved over a short period of time. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: On an ordinary day Safeer Al-Hussain Hospital is staffed with 238 employees. During the Arbaeen period, this number is supported by other partners: Imamia Medics International (IMI) (95), Karbala University (medicine & nursing) (75), Iraqi delegates from other hospitals (146), international volunteers (253). The number of patients seen in 2015 during the Arbaeen period (10-12 days) at Safeer AL-Hussain were 919,682 patients. Finding: The total number of hospital staff at Safeer ALHussain during Arbaeen Gathering at Kerbala were 806 serving 919682 patients in 12 days period of time. These patients are divided as follows: Iraqi patients 477886, Arabic patients 245732, and other 532762. Number of emergency operations done at the hospital (12 days). super major 45, major 13, minor 9. Conclusion: Offering standard health care faces huge challenge to all the healthcare professionals involved; proper planning is required to perform even better.

Biography :

Emad Geddoa is a consultant General Surgeon graduated from Iraq in 1993 and settled in London where he trained for general surgery. Mr Geddoa has decided to go back and work in Kerbala, the city where he born, in 2013 and since then he is a senior lecturer at Kerbala Medical School in addition to his work at Imam Hussain Medical City/ kerbala  as a general and colorectal Surgeon