KARACHI: The Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma (SMBBIT) has recorded 328,841 road traffic accident cases over the past decade, underscoring the scale of the injury burden confronting emergency services in Karachi and the need to make road safety a public priority.
The figures were presented by Dr Muhammad Sabir Memon, Executive Director of SMBBIT, during the closing ceremony of Trauma Awareness Week 2026 and World Trauma Day at Muin Auditorium, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi, on October 17.
In a presentation titled “A Remarkable Ten-Year Journey: Services and Achievements of SMBB Institute of Trauma Since 2016,” Dr Memon outlined the institute’s work since 2016, including 1,448,624 emergency department visits, 328,841 road traffic accident cases, 9,634 firearm injury cases and 5,045 patients brought in dead.
The figures were presented as part of the institute’s decade-long service record. Emergency department visits represent attendances, not necessarily unique individuals, while the category “brought in dead” refers to patients who arrived at the facility in that condition.
The presentation highlighted the demands placed on trauma services and the importance of combining equipped facilities, rapid response, skilled medical professionals, effective teamwork, sound administration and timely treatment to manage serious injuries.
The closing ceremony brought together representatives from healthcare, education, government and civil society, with participants highlighting both the treatment of injured patients and the need to prevent accidents in the first place.
Road safety is a shared responsibility
The decade-long figures formed part of a broader public safety message running through Trauma Awareness Week 2026: many serious injuries can be prevented when road users follow traffic laws and institutions work together to reduce risks.
During an inter-institutional discussion held on the second day of the awareness week, Dr Sabir Memon stressed that educating the public about injury prevention and road safety was a social responsibility.
He identified reckless driving, speeding, failure to wear helmets and seat belts, and disregard for traffic laws among the behaviours that can lead to devastating consequences. He urged motorists to observe traffic rules, drive at safe speeds, avoid mobile phone use while driving and show consideration for other road users.
Dr Memon also called for stronger coordination among hospitals, rescue services, traffic police, public health experts and communities, arguing that injury prevention requires sustained efforts beyond the hospital setting.
He said SMBBIT provides round-the-clock emergency services and receives more than 550 patients daily. He also stated that approximately 80 per cent recover, although the specific patient group and measurement period for that figure were not detailed in the information provided.
The volume of patients described by Dr Memon highlights the pressure on emergency services and the importance of preventing avoidable injuries before they require hospital treatment.
Traffic police urge motorists to rethink risky driving
Deputy Inspector General of Traffic Police Pir Muhammad Shah also called for greater compliance with traffic laws, warning against the risks people take in an attempt to save a few minutes on the road.
Shah said adherence to traffic laws could prevent up to 70 per cent of road accidents. The figure was presented as his assessment during the discussion and was not independently verified in the event information.
He emphasised safe speeds, obeying traffic signals, using protective equipment and adopting responsible driving behaviour. He also said traffic-related injuries accounted for 70 per cent of cases treated at Karachi’s trauma centre, while describing recovery outcomes as encouraging.
The discussion featured Prof. Anees Bhatti, member of the SMBBIT Board of Governors; Dr Abid Jalal, Chief Operating Officer of Rescue 1122; Dr Jamil, head of the emergency department at Dow Trauma Hospital; Dr Mukhtiar Bhayo of the World Health Organization in Sindh; Dr Nosheen, Deputy Executive Director of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre; and Deputy Superintendent of Police Ali Sawad.
Participants stressed that road safety cannot be left to enforcement agencies alone. Public awareness, responsible driving, effective emergency response and cooperation between institutions are all essential to reducing the number and severity of injuries.
AI and trauma training feature in academic sessions
The awareness week also addressed the role of medical innovation and professional education in improving outcomes for injured patients.
Two online academic sessions explored developments in trauma surgery and professional training. Dr Divya Kevalramani delivered a session on “AI in Trauma Surgery,” examining artificial intelligence in the context of advances in trauma care.
Professor Taj Hassan presented “Development and Implementation of the Pakistan Trauma Course — Building the ‘cHALO’ Network Through Collaboration.” His session focused on developing trauma education and strengthening professional networks through collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Together, the sessions highlighted the importance of equipping healthcare professionals with current knowledge, developing practical training opportunities and exploring technologies that may support trauma management. The broader message was that better outcomes depend not only on emergency facilities, but also on the skills, preparation and coordination of the people providing care.
Senior officials and health leaders attend closing ceremony
The closing ceremony at DUHS drew a range of senior officials and representatives from the medical and public sectors.
Distinguished guests included Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho and Member of the National Assembly Dr Nafisa Shah. Other attendees named in the event information included Secretary of Information Dr Kashif Gulzar Sheikh, former DUHS Vice Chancellor Professor Saeed Qureshi, Jabbar Khattak and DUHS Vice Chancellor Professor Nazli Hussain.
Members of the SMBBIT Board of Governors were invited as guests of honour. Heads of departments, faculty members, medical specialists and representatives of participating institutions also attended.
The event recognised the institute’s decade of trauma services while reinforcing the need for a coordinated response to injury prevention and emergency care. Organisers thanked the guests, government representatives, Board of Governors, experts, faculty, institutions and participants who contributed to the programme.
Preventing injuries must go hand in hand with treatment
Trauma Awareness Week 2026 and World Trauma Day concluded with a message extending beyond hospitals and emergency departments: preventing injuries is a shared responsibility.
The discussions called for consistent public education, compliance with traffic laws, safer driving practices, the use of helmets and seat belts, and greater cooperation among government bodies, hospitals, rescue services, traffic police, educational institutions, the media and the public.
For Karachi, the decade-long SMBBIT figures provide a measure of the workload handled by a major trauma service. They also underline why preventing crashes, improving emergency response and ensuring timely treatment must remain connected priorities.
The central message of the awareness campaign was clear: saving time on the road should never come at the cost of a human life.
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