Disaster relief in Pakistan

On 8 October in 2005 at 08:50:39 local time a Richter magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurred in Azad, Kashmir. Its intensity was graded as “Extreme”. 

The destruction of life and infrastructure was immense. 2.8 million Pakistanis were immediately displaced with 87,000 killed. More significantly over 75,000 were injured. Access to the affected rural mountainous areas was restricted due to landslip and destruction of bridges.

As part of the international response the large Pakistani medical diaspora of the UK mobilised in support of the relief efforts. As part of this there were a significant number of plastic surgeons. The medical staffing also included active, retired and in-training anaesthetists, general surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, emergency physicians and general practitioners. Initially travelling at their own expense and loosely coordinated, they were then supported by a range of British-based charities. The plastic surgery teams from the UK were largely based in three to four hospitals in Northern cities. Patients from earthquake-affected areas were transported to these hospitals. There was excellent local support in these hospitals, including nurses, porters, ward staff, and sometimes additional anaesthetic and theatre staff.

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