Advanced Trauma Life Support Course begins in Bangladesh

Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) with the support of the American College of Surgeons has developed the Advanced Trauma Life Support Course (ATLS) in the country for the first time.

“The ATLS is an extremely important course for adequate trauma care. In most developed countries this is a mandatory course for doctors,” said Abdul Jalil Chowdhury, professor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and secretary of BCPS, at a press briefing at BCPS in Dhaka's Mohakhali area.

BSMMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Kanak Kanti Barua, representatives from BCPS and foreign delegates were present, among others.

“The course provides knowledge and techniques that are comprehensive and easily adaptive, which fits the needs of trauma patients. The course of the American College of Surgeons has been introduced here under a tripartite agreement between American College of Surgeons, BCPS and the Society of Surgeons of Bangladesh,” added Prof Chowdhury.

Speakers at the briefing said ATLS is presently being practiced in 83 countries including India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, China and Indonesia. Bangladesh is the 84th country to bear the flag and become an ATLS member.

Twelve faculties from the USA, Australia, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia and five faculties from Bangladesh are providing training to 16 senior doctors, who are expected to be the future trainers, from yesterday.

The foreign delegates expressed their hope that Bangladesh will successfully conduct the training in future, which would bring the patients from trauma and provide new lives.

“Trauma management is essentially a multidisciplinary care which begins from the site of accident to the ultimate tertiary  level care. The hospital care begins from the emergency room. Right steps in care helps saving precious lives,” Prof Chowdhury further said.

The introduction of the course is documented to bring a significant improvement in managing traumatised patients and reduce injury mortality.

Prof Kanak Kanti Barua said they have a plan to introduce such course at their institute also.

ATLS is a training programme for medical providers in the management of acute trauma cases, developed by the American College of Surgeons. Its goal is to teach a simplified and standardised approach to trauma patients designed for emergency situations.