The WHO Academy has officially launched its inaugural Training of Trainers (TOT) Program for Emergency Units Preparedness and Response, focusing on Mass Casualty Management (MCM) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Trauma Centre in the national capital. This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing emergency healthcare capabilities in India.

The Mass Casualty Management program, developed by the WHO, aims to equip frontline healthcare professionals—including doctors, nurses, logistics staff, and technicians—with the skills necessary to effectively respond to mass casualty incidents. This comprehensive training is designed to improve the coordination and management of resources during critical situations, thereby maximizing the potential to save lives.

Professor Kamran Farooque, Chief of the JPNATC at AIIMS Trauma Centre, emphasized the importance of the program, stating, “This Patented Mass Casualty Course will be crucial in situations involving mass casualties, allowing hospitals to handle such incidents effectively.” He noted that the training team comprises experts with experience from conflict zones in Somalia, Iraq, and other countries. “Our vision is that the faculty trained here at AIIMS will extend this knowledge across hospitals and medical institutes nationwide,” he added.

The five-day course includes three days of theoretical training and two days of practical instruction. Faculty from various AIIMS centers, including AIIMS Jodhpur, AIIMS Patna, and AIIMS Jammu, are participating in this collaborative effort.

Dr. Harald Veen, Course Lead for the Mass Casualty Management Course at WHO EMRO, highlighted the unique challenges presented during mass casualty events. “In these exceptional situations, it is often not possible to provide treatment to every patient at risk of losing their life. Decisions must be made on how to best utilize available resources, prioritizing those who need it most,” he explained. He emphasized the need for hospitals to adapt their normal patient management policies to address the unique demands of mass casualty incidents.

The training aims to empower hospitals to provide optimal care when overwhelmed with patients during critical events. “The purpose of this training is to enable hospitals to effectively manage a surge of patients requiring simultaneous treatment,” Dr. Veen further elaborated.

Dr. Ali Mehdi, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Medical Director at Kent and Canterbury Hospital in the UK, praised the significance of the initiative, stating, “Saving even a single life in such scenarios is a monumental achievement. We believe this program is a pivotal moment, not just for AIIMS, but for India as a whole.”

Upon completing the MCM course, participants will be equipped to assess local situations and ensure an “all hazards” approach to emergency response, as outlined by WHO. This structured approach is designed to prepare healthcare professionals for a wide range of potential emergencies, reinforcing the commitment to safeguarding public health.

The collaboration between AIIMS and the WHO represents a critical advancement in India’s emergency preparedness strategy, aiming to enhance the nation’s capability to respond to mass casualty incidents effectively and efficiently.