Every day the mass media reports on the numbers of people dying or being seriously injured on the road. However, many of these deaths could be prevented through timely and professional emergency medical care.
Both injury prevention and emergency medicine improvement are critical to International Medical Corps’ program in Azerbaijan. One of the main objectives of International Medical Corps’ Emergency Medicine Development Initiative Program (EMDI), funded by USAID, BP and its partners in the BTC/SCP Company, Hess and Chevron, is to provide access to high quality emergency medical care.
As part of EMDI, International Medical Corps created western-style Emergency Departments, with well-trained and equipped medical staff, at the four central hospitals in Azerbaijan. The impact of EMDI is evident through the improved outcomes of patients who have received treatment at these new Emergency Departments.
“My son’s life was saved through professional emergency medical care,” said Elchin, a patient who, along with his little son, survived a terrible car crash. “At the hospital, I was told that our survival was made possible through the unique emergency medicine development program implemented in Azerbaijan. I am thankful both to this program staff and to hospital personnel.”
The crash occurred on April 14th when they were driving home after a wedding party. Both of them prefer not to recall that day. They were admitted to Shamkir emergency department with serious brain trauma and shock. But fortunately, lifesaving equipment was in place and professional staff were on duty. “When I came out of the coma, I found myself in a bright and modern reanimation room filled with equipment I had only seen in the movies. Professional personnel were next to me and ready to help,” says Elchin.
Elchin is still incredulous that he and his son survived the car crash. “I never would have imagined that there would be a modern and fully equipped emergency medicine facility in our district. If there had not been a facility of this kind in Shamkir, both me and my son would have definitely died.”
Even though the new Emergency Departments have just begun functioning, dozens of lives have already been saved. Those served by EMDI represent a broad mix of men, women, and children, in the four main districts of Kurdamir, Yevlakh, Ganja and Shamkir.
“Just a couple of months ago, it would not have been possible to save these patients,” said Dr. Nuraddin Ahmadov , the Chief Doctor of Shamkir Central District Hospital. “Clearly, the new Emergency Department will significantly benefit the population of Shamkir and neighboring villages. More lives will be saved, thanks to International Medical Corps’ program.”