Delhi Hospitals Ready for Emergencies: Mock drills, staff training underway

New Delhi: In response to the ongoing military tensions between India and Pakistan, the Delhi government has directed all hospitals in the capital to conduct mock drills and gear up for potential large-scale medical emergencies that may arise from cross-border conflict.

Following the government's order, several government and private hospitals are ramping up their preparedness to handle any potential emergency. Many recently carried out large-scale mock drills within their premises to test their response capabilities. These drills focused on providing immediate treatment to patients with critical injuries such as burns, fractures, and other trauma, while also training doctors and medical staff to operate efficiently under high-pressure emergency scenarios.

Apart from mock drills, the hospitals have also been asked to have extra beds, full stock of critical drugs and medical supplies, including blood and other medical items, which are essential during emergencies.

Major government-run hospitals in the capital conducted mock drills, including Safdarjung Hospital, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and Lok Nayak Hospital.

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Safdarjung Hospital

The second-largest central government-run Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi has assured full readiness. The hospital’s Disaster Management Committee has already activated protocols and is on high alert to respond quickly if needed, reports The Patriot.

According to a senior doctor, “We are fully prepared and equipped to handle any adversity. Our Disaster Management Committee stands ready to respond to emergencies with comprehensive protocols and resources in place.”

Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital

The hospital went a step further by conducting a large-scale mock drill. The simulation focused on managing 20 bomb blast victims and involved multiple departments, from emergency medicine to neurosurgery and forensic medicine.

The simulation involved detailed clinical scenarios of blast injuries, including traumatic amputations, penetrating abdominal wounds, blast lung, skull fractures, severe burns, and multi-system trauma. Each victim was assigned a unique profile, requiring multidisciplinary intervention involving departments such as emergency medicine, critical care, general surgery, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, ENT, ophthalmology, radiology, and forensic medicine.

The hospital’s Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) ambulance services were activated for field triage and transport. Real-time management with imaging, monitoring, and surgical stabilisation was performed as per the individual case vignettes.

Following the drill, a structured debriefing session was held from 5 PM to 6 PM, attended by faculty, residents, and key emergency response stakeholders. Detailed case sheets and management protocols were submitted to the head of emergency medicine for audit and review.

The simulation was designed not only to assess readiness but also to identify system gaps. A comprehensive report incorporating Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) is under preparation and will be submitted to institutional authorities for further action.

Lok Nayak Hospital

Lok Nayak Hospital organised an air raid preparedness drill, which included training on handling air raid warnings, managing civilians and students, implementing blackout measures and evacuation protocols, and general safety practices.

The mock drill was followed by a sensitisation programme in the disaster ward. The purpose of the drill is to bolster the safety and preparedness of both staff and the community.

Staff were trained to recognise air raid siren signals—long wails for alerts and short bursts for all-clear—and learn the locations of nearby shelters, such as basements, underground car parks, or designated safe zones. The drill covered teaching children basic emergency response techniques, including how to drop to the ground and cover their heads, identify safe spaces at home, school, or in their neighbourhoods, and perform first aid, such as treating minor injuries or administering CPR.

The staff were advised to install thick blackout curtains or blinds on windows and prepare their homes to function without electricity during blackouts. Practical tips included using dark cloth or cardboard to block light and ensuring that outdoor lights are turned off during drills.

The hospital also recommended that staff test their blackout preparedness by simulating a blackout scenario at home with their families, helping to familiarise everyone with emergency routines.

Private hospitals

Dr Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director of Aakash Healthcare, highlighted the vital role of medical institutions in emergency readiness.

“Healthcare institutions are integral to the success of these drills, with medical experts ensuring that they are well-equipped to handle emergencies in collaboration with authorities,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of preparedness in the current climate of rising security concerns.

“We take our role in disaster preparedness seriously. Considering the recent rise in security concerns, especially in the case of any retaliatory measures by a neighbouring country, we have activated our ‘Code Brown’ disaster protocol. This dedicated code is meant to address mass casualty incidents or major emergencies. Our entire team has undergone mock drills, ensuring that all protocols, ranging from emergency medical responses to patient management, are thoroughly practised.”

Dr Chaudhry also explained the measures in place for blackout scenarios. During a blackout situation, we have a meticulous system in place where all windows are covered by curtains, perimeter lights are turned off, and all signboards are blacked out. However, one critical factor that will not be interrupted is our emergency services. Even in such situations, our emergency care will continue to function without disruption.”

Anupam Pandey, Director of Asian Hospital Faridabad, shared his hospital’s proactive approach to emergency preparedness. “We have been proactively engaged in emergency preparedness. As a responsible healthcare organisation, we ensure that our team is constantly trained to deal with various emergency scenarios, including blackouts and other contingencies. Our hospital regularly conducts mock drills to assess our readiness and response times. We view these drills not only as a safety measure but as part of an ongoing training process to enhance the efficiency of our front-line workers.”

Dr Sunita Kapoor, Director of City X-Ray & Scan Clinic, also spoke on the importance of readiness. “We have shared all the relevant safety protocols and emergency procedures with our team through comprehensive training. We understand the gravity of the current situation and are ready to respond swiftly, should the need arise.” She noted that past experiences had been valuable in shaping their current strategies.

“Several senior faculty members who had firsthand experience of a similar situation during the 1971 conflict have provided invaluable insights. We have incorporated both online and offline training, including audio-visual aids, to ensure everyone is prepared for any eventuality.”

Dr Praveen Gupta, Principal Director and Chief of Neurology at Fortis Hospital, urged the public to remain calm. “The mock drills are a preparedness exercise. There is no need to panic because of the drills.”

Meanwhile, government and private hospitals in Maharashtra are also preparing for emergencies by expanding their facilities like beds, equipment, medical supplies, oxygen support system, etc, reports HT.

JJ Hospital

The state-run JJ Hospital has established two special wards spanning two floors, offering a total of 52 beds to manage any sudden medical emergencies. These wards are fully equipped with critical care facilities, including oxygen support systems, rapid triage mechanisms, and stockpiles of essential emergency medicines.

Along with JJ Hospital, other government hospitals have also begun conducting internal drills and staff training sessions.

“We’ve instructed departments to stock emergency medicines, oxygen cylinders, and other critical supplies. Staff are being trained to manage a sudden influx of patients,” said Dr Shailesh Mohite, Dean of Nair Hospital.

KEM Hospital, dean Dr Sangeeta Rawat said, “Similar preparations are underway. We are also conducting emergency response audits."

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