Core Group suggests public-private participation

Bangalore, Apr 27 (UNI) The Core Group of the National Disaster Management Authority today suggested a Private-Public partnership to meet the challenges during disasters and calamities.

The 15 member team of the Fifth Core Group headed by Chairman Lt. Gen (Dr) J R Bhardwaj, held a day long meeting on 'Medical Preparedness and Mass Casualties Management' at M S Ramaiah Memorial Hospital here.

Talking to newsmen, College Principal and Core Group member Dr S Kumar said that the Union government was ready to provide 50 to 60 beds during emergency and has earmarked Rs 3000 Crore, but the meeting felt that instead by involving private organisations, who are willing to help during the situation, the expenditure could be reduced and the amount may be utilised for better purpose.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) could be signed with private and NGOs in this regard and the government meet the expenditure.

"The Core Committee of experts have been evolving a methodical approach on how our level of preparedness, efficiency can surface during these periods of natural or man-made disasters", he added.

The Core Committee consisted elite people from several walks of life including Army, the Air Force, R and D establishments, Scientists who were skilled to not only give situation analysis but also suggest how to manage chemical and biological warefare.

He said that out of 257 medical colleges in the country, the government has chosen M S Ramaiah Medical college which has already established the concept of Disaster Management since last six years.

Dr Kumar said that in the college Disaster Management Cell a group of 30 to 40 students were provided training to manage emergency, irrespective of faculty. Even non-medicos, who are keen to serve during the crisis, were also included in the Cell.

He said that the Government was now looking for not only establishing scientifically evolved process of Disaster Management but was also geared up to accept the very healthy private-public partnership in this endeavor.

Dr Kumar said that the suggestions of the Meeting would be handed over to the Prime Minister in the form of a Report which would be utilised for drafting guidelines by the Authority.

UNI