Emergency medical response, evacuation and hospital preparedness form the core of the guidelines released on Wednesday by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The guidelines aim to minimise casualties during disasters through a network of trauma centers and ambulance networks. Facilities to treat cases of burns and blood banks are also high on the list.Prevention of deaths through disease control programmes and improved standard for relief and rehabilitation are also part of the guidelines, put together by experts from the health and family welfare ministry and other government departments. Mock exercises were conducted across the country for inputs to frame the guidelines, NDMA vice-chairman Gen N C Vij (retd) said.There are plans to introduce medical preparedness for mass casualty management in the education curriculum. This will be in addition to steps for a community-based approach and psychological support to deal with disasters.The next step will see Central ministries and state Governments formulate disaster management plans based on these guidelines. The NDMA, which has put in place four Quick Reaction Medical Teams, will coordinate the implementation and enforcement of the plans.The authority has already released a comprehensive set of guidelines to manage earthquakes. The NDMA is now working on detailed guidelines to deal with bio-terrorist attacks expected to be ready by next year.
