Over 328,000 cases of road accidents reported at Karachi SMBB Trauma Centre in a decade

In a decade, the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto (SMBB) Institute of Trauma at the Karachi SMBB Trauma Centre recorded over 328,000 cases of road traffic injuries and nearly 5,000 fatalities, underscoring the urgent need for accident prevention and rapid emergency response. Organised by the institute during Trauma Awareness Week 2026 and World Trauma Day, the programme highlighted the importance of prevention alongside emergency medical intervention.

Experts emphasized the necessity of adopting safety measures such as complying with traffic laws, avoiding speeding, refraining from mobile phone use while driving, and wearing protective gear. Dr Muhammad Sabir Memon, heading the trauma institute, detailed how the facility had enhanced its emergency services and patient care since 2016, treating a total of 1,448,624 patients over the decade, with 328,841 cases linked to road traffic accidents.

The event also stressed the collective responsibility of various stakeholders, including government bodies, healthcare institutions, and the public, in promoting road safety and preventing accidents. Discussions included the role of public awareness campaigns, the integration of artificial intelligence in trauma surgery, and the need for advancements in medical training and emergency response systems to protect the public effectively.