March 29, 2024 18:27 (IST)
Columbia Asia Hospitals, Bangalore Traffic Police launch Good Samaritan Awards
Bangalore, may 27 (IBNS): Taking a social initiative, Columbia Asia Hospitals, in association with the Bangalore Traffic Police, on Friday announced the launch of Good Samaritan Award, to encourage the Good Samaritans, who have helped accident victims, get medical attention and saved their lives.
Speaking on the occasion, R Hitendra, Addl. Commissioner of Police, said, “It is a good initiative to recognize the Good Samaritans who have helped people during accidents. These people inspire millions. Moreover events like this will motivate many more people to come forward and extend a helping hand to accident victims.”
"Now, we have a law in place, to help people who save lives in RTAs. Going forward, these Good Samaritans would not have to bear any civil or criminal liability for helping accident victims," added Hitendra.
Last year, 740 people lost their lives to road accidents and another 714 people incurred fatal injuries, in Bangalore alone. This year is no better. Within the first four months, already 248 victims have fallen prey to accidents and lost their lives.
That apart, 237 people have suffered from fatal accidents. With more people falling prey to RTA with every passing year, it is high time that people come forward to help the accident victims get medical attention at the earliest.
Highlighting the importance of receiving medical attention within the golden hour for any fatal accident victim, Dr. Nanda Kumar Jairam, Chairman and Group Medical Director, Columbia Asia Hospitals, India, said, “It has been established that 50 % of fatalities from road traffic accidents can be avoided through intervention during the golden hour, as chances of survival are high with medical aid within this time. However, the fear of getting involved in a police investigation and being subjected to rigorous legal procedures often stops bystanders from helping road traffic accident victims. Now, the Good Samaritan guidelines are encouraging people to come forward and help the victims without any fear of being subjected to any criminal or civil liability.”
Stressing on the importance of knowing Basic Life Support (BLS) techniques, Jairam, added, “BLS goes a long way in saving lives during emergency situations. The steps that we take while attending an emergency can have a deep-rooted impact in saving the life of a patient. Considering the road traffic accidents and other medical emergencies, ideally every citizen should be trained in BLS.”
Addressing the media, Dr Sunil Rao, Vice President, Operations (South), Columbia Asia Hospitals, India, said, “Caught amidst busy traffic, how many of us would make an attempt to help the road traffic accident victim, get him the required medical attention, and try to save his life? Mostly, as passers-by, we will halt for a minute to glare at the situation before driving by to our destinations. However in Columbia Asia Hospital, we have got several cases, where life of RTA victims were saved due to timely intervention of a Good Samaritan.”
“Columbia Asia has been actively promoting the cause for Good Samaritans for the last one year by reaching out to the community. The hospitals in Bangalore have trained over 1000 people in BLS techniques across communities including traffic police, teachers, students, journalists and corporates in the past six months. BLS training is also being imparted by other Columbia Asia Hospitals in cities including Mysore, Pune, Ahmedabad, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Patiala,” said Rao.
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