Hospitals should form disaster preparedness advisory group: LG

New Delhi, Mar 5 (UNI) Delhi Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna today called upon all professionals concerned to use their strength to build a robust system of prevention, mitigation and preparedness to reduce risks of natural disasters.

Inaugurating a Workshop on integrating Earthquake risk mitigation with hospital facilities planning here, Mr Khanna said in case of any disaster, a rational advance planning could save both human lives and physical infrastructure effectively.

Mr Khanna said in case of any disaster in the capital, which falls in the high risk seismic zone 4, the damage could be minimised through careful preparedness and constant alertness.

He said the Delhi Disaster Management Authority should promote community participation at large as NGOs and society leaders can play an important role in case of any disaster.

The Lt Governor suggested that each hospital should form a disaster preparedness advisory group to discuss about the preparedness in case of any disaster. He said such groups should meet regularly on a monthly basis to review the progress of Disaster Management aspects.

The government would extend all possible assistance and cooperation to all hospitals for better management of disaster in their establishments, he said and urged medical professionals to be ready for field hospitals to be set up additionally if the need arises.

Medical Professionals, Government Administrator's and policy-makers concerned with natural disaster risk reduction and management are attending the one-day workshop organised jointly by Delhi Disaster Management Authority in partnership with Swiss Re and GeoHazards International.

The workshop would develop a road map for Hospitals for disaster risk reduction and management.

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