Bangalore auto-drivers trained to save lives during “Golden Hour”
BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital hosted a Basic Life Support (BLS) training programme for auto drivers on January 15th, 2021 in the hospital premises. The training was conducted to prep them, to take prompt and right action during the emergency situations. The team of healthcare experts including Dr Narsimhachar – HOD Emergency Medicine, Dr Kuttappa – HOD Medical Services and Rajesh Shukla – HOD Marketing spearheaded the event, providing all necessary First Aid information to the Bangalore auto drivers.
Daily mishaps resulting to premature death is a major concern. To deal with this problem, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital decided to organise a BLS training programme for auto drivers to ensure fewer deaths on road in the future. In most cases, premature deaths occur, due to lack of medical support provided during the Golden Hour.
Although, the cases of road accidents have reduced to an extent comparing to last three year, however, it is hard to neglect the fact that one person dies every 6 minutes. According to 2019 road accident reports released states that on an average, 30 people get killed per day in road accidents across the state. Notably, a huge portion of these patients were in the younger age bracket of 25-35 years and occurs mostly in the evening.
In a bid to create awareness regarding the severity of the situation, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital conducted the BLS training programme. Auto drivers were also provided with First Aid Kits to set them up in their auto rickshaws, so that they come in hand in case of any emergency,
Mr Sandeep Kumar - Chief Executive Officer, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital said “In most cases auto or bus drivers witness these road mishaps and transport victims to the nearest hospital. However, by the time they reach the hospital, they miss the golden hour, causing death on arrival. Therefore, training auto drivers and educating Basic Life Support techniques will help curtail death rate on roads.”
Dr Narsimhachar, Head of Department - Emergency Medicine, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital said “BLS is the foundation for saving lives following cardiac arrest. It imparts basic knowledge and skills that can save lives when promptly initiated in emergency situations. Anyone with basic education and skills can undergo this training. Strictly following traffic rules and improving conditions of roads can definitely reduce death rates.”
Dr A M Kuttappa, Head of Department - Medical Services , BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital said “BLS training will prep the auto drivers to handle emergency situations and will be able to act immediately recognising the signs of either sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), stroke or foreign-body airway obstruction (FBAO), resulting the patient to be stabilized while transporting to the hospital.”