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Pune docs bank on awareness to curb loss of lives in road accidents
Ahead of Maharashtra Orthopedic Association Day on May 1, doctors to work on reducing number of lives lost in accidents
Every year 1.5 lakh people die because of road accidents and 4.5 lakh people get permanently disabled in India and the group of orthopedic doctors in Maharashtra are a worried lot.
“It is a shame because it is possible to save lives with timely action. Anyone can have an accident. Would you survive if no one bothered to take you to a hospital? Instead of rushing an accident victim to a hospital it is sad to see people take pictures on their mobile phones.” said Dr Parag Sancheti, immediate past president of the Maharashtra Orthopedic Association (MOA), Pune district.
To mark the Maharashtra Orthopedic Association Day on May 1, doctors and members of MOA have planned a series of events aimed at creating awareness about helping accident victims instead of just passing them by. The bystanders have to move the victim to a safer place.
At the press conference, Dr Chandrashekhar Sathaye, orthopedic surgeon from Alibaug said, “There are four things a by stander can do to save a life. Check if the victim’s airways are clear and if he is breathing properly. Check for bleeding wounds, put him in the recovery position and call an ambulance.”
Dr Sanjay Patil, secretary, MOA, Pune chapter said that the process is not difficult and even a layman can learn to do these simple things to save a life.
Dr Patil informed that awareness in this regard will be spread at various bus depots. The group also plans to create awareness among schoolchildren.
The doctors also made it clear that neither the police nor the hospital can ask anything of a Good Samaritan who admits an accident victim to hospital, according to the Supreme court verdict.
Dr Sancheti said that MOA also plans to create awareness about the Good Samaritan Law with these groups. “We have approached the Pune Police commissioner Venkatasham and he will be attending our awareness campaign. ”
On the question as who will bear the medical expenses for the victim, Dr Sacheti said, “ It is common practice that all hospitals ensure that the patient has been given first aid, done the Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intubation and some definitive treatment. If they aren’t capable of paying the fees of a private hospital then they are sent to a government hospital for further treatment.”
Dr Satheye said that in some states like Karnataka , the government pays ₹25,000 for every accident victim in any hospital.
In an appeal, the Maharashtra Orthopedic Association (MOA) beseeches every Punekar to reach out and help an accident victim.
Clearing the air about whether the person helping the victim can be exposed to infections, Dr Patil said,“ It is seen world over that the chances of disease transmission during basic life support activity is 0.1%. Moreover this concern can be tackled easily. All you have to do is use a plastic or a hanky so that there is no contact with bodily fluids and the person will be safe. This is particularly so if you have some cut or wound in your hands.”
Escalating road accident victim numbers force docs to draw up action plan
1.5 lakh people die in road accidents per year in India
4.5 lakh people are disabled per year in India because of road accidents
Maharashtra orthopaedic doctors’ plan of action
1. Involve bystanders through a series of events aimed at creating awareness about helping accident victims.
What can a bystander do to save a life in the aftermath of the accident
1. Check if airways are clear and if s/he is breathing properly
2. Check for bleeding wounds
3. Put victim in recovery position
4. Call an ambulance
The rule
The Supreme Court has stated that neither the police nor the hospital can ask anything of a Good Samaritan who admits an accident victim to hospital, says Dr Sanjay Patil, secretary, Maharashtra Orthopaedic Association, Pune chapter.
“It is a shame because it is possible to save lives with timely action. Anyone can have an accident. Would you survive if no one bothered to take you to a hospital? Instead of rushing an accident victim to a hospital it is sad to see people take pictures from their mobile phones,” says Dr Parag Sancheti, immediate past president of the Maharashtra Orthopaedic Association (MOA) Pune district.