Ambulance drivers get life support training

The Lakdikapul branch of Global Hospitals is organising a Basic Life Support (BLS) Training programme for ambulance drivers from the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Close to 200 ambulance drivers are taking part in the programme that ends on Friday.

Highlighting the importance of the programme, Dr K Ravindranath, chairman and managing director, Global Hospitals Group, said, “A large number of people succumb to fatal injuries in road accidents. The total number of deaths due to road accidents increased from 10 per cent to 11 per cent in 2013. When it comes to accidents, ambulance driver communities in most cases are the first ones to swiftly respond and carry the injured to a nearby hospital.

Through the BLS training programme the aim is to sensitise ambulance drivers about the significance of golden hour.” “In many instances even before an ambulance reaches the accident spot there could be a policeman, auto, cab or call taxi drivers in the area and if we sensitise this community, then many more lives can be saved,” he added.

“We come across many fatalities due to road traffic accidents, which clearly indicate lack of awareness on immediate responses during the medical emergencies. To address those issues, we have launched this campaign to raise awareness for swift response during critical medical emergencies” said Dr Shibaji Chattopadhyaya, chief operating officer, Global Hospitals.