Mockdrill for medical response to quake, fire, blasts

All major government as well as private hospitals will participate in the mockdrill to be carried out as part of the Delhi Emergency Management Exercise (DEMEX).

"The exercise is being undertaken to fine tune the emergency medical response system in the city," a senior Delhi government official said.

Simulated situations of fire, bomb blast and earthquake will be enacted in various areas of the city tomorrow and accordingly emergency medical teams of various hospitals will be pressed into service to provide medical help to "victims", the officials said.

All major hospitals will be a part of the exercise.

The mockdrill is being organised by Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in coordination with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Independent observers will scrutinise the exercise and based on their report, corrective measures will be undertaken.

The officials said often people show reluctance to take victims of disasters and accidents to hospitals fearing harassment by police and government is considering steps to address the problem.