MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Foundation is to save lives by organizing and imparting training in emergency medical services to doctors, nurses, technicians, ambulance drivers and other members of the community. Emergency medical services include resuscitation of the heart after cardiac arrest and management of the injured in the field as well as in the hospital, for both adults and children. This training will eventually lead to the establishment of a system in the community for comprehensive emergency management. This will help in appropriate training of health care personnel in such a way that it will save lots of lives and prevent disabilities. The other domain of the mission is to set up advisory and support centers for education and training in public health.

INTRODUCTION AND BASIC CONCEPT

The Lifesavers Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to teach Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (BLS & ACLS), Trauma life support and disaster management. Whenever the heart stops pumping oxygenated blood, brain is the most crucial organ that suffers and because of lack of oxygen to the brain, the patient collapses. BLS and ACLS give a comprehensive training to rescue the heart after cardiac arrest. Thus in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), airway patency and breathing ensure oxygenation of blood and effective chest compressions ensure the delivery of oxygenated blood to the brain and other tissues.

BEGINNING

The idea to set up the Foundation was conceived by Dr. Saeed Akhtar, Urologist and Transplant Surgeon,Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, who on his return from the United States realized that most doctors, paramedics and related staff in Pakistan are not trained to immediately respond and manage life threatening situations, such as cardiac arrest. The Foundation was established in July 2001 and has been registered under the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance, 1961. The Foundation has also been approved for exemption of income tax under Section 47(1)(d) of the Income tax Ordinance, 1979. A board of governors gives direction to the Foundation and oversees its activities.