The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Lack of proper trauma care shocking'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 27, 2007
ePaper


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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Lack of proper trauma care shocking'

SORRY STATE OF AFFAIRS: Ambulances getting caught in traffic jams is a regular sight in Bangalore. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

Srinivas Ramachandra from N. California, U.S. writes: I am a surgeon who grew up in Bangalore. I have been living in the U.S. for the past 30 years. I marvel at the progress Bangalore has made, but am deeply disturbed to read about the lack of adequate care for trauma victims in such a big city.

I am quite aware of all the challenges in providing trauma care but I see a great opportunity. I wonder if your group has looked at the model that exists in Hyderabad. The CEO of the company that contracts with Satyam Computers made an excellent presentation of the system, and the manner in which the operation functions is commendable. Physicians from the U.S. are willing to assist in setting up a system like that if it has local industry and Government support. I will be happy to be a participant in this venture.

I am available by email at s.ramachandra@comcast.net or on phone 510-490-6699.

Offer of help

Nagaraj Nanjappa, Independence, Louisiana, has this to say: I completed my postgraduate medical training in the U.S. after graduating from Bangalore Medical College. At present, I am the Director of Emergency Medicine at LSUMC Lalli Kemp Medical Center, Independence, Louisiana.

I visit India every other year. I am happy to give my expertise to my college in Bangalore and also assist the police in putting in place an advanced trauma life support and advanced cardiac life support system and hopefully (I can) teach a few science graduates and para-medical staff. I am available on e-mail at nnanja@lsuhsc.edu.

Impressive feature

Vivekananda Paniyal, advocate, writes: The feature is impressive. It is a matter of shock and shame that the "silicon city" Bangalore does not have a proper emergency medical service despite the fact that there is a constant threat and fear of terrorism and communal violence. This shows how our social welfare government has been callous towards protecting the interests of the common man.

Emergency medical service is part and parcel of the fundamental "right to life" under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

In the Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity case before the Supreme Court, Hakim Sheikh, a member of the Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity, fell off a train and suffered serious head injuries. Seven State hospitals were unable to provide emergency treatment for his injuries because of lack of bed space and trauma and neurological services. He was finally treated in a private hospital.

Aggrieved by the callous and insensitive attitude of the government hospitals in Kolkata in providing emergency treatment, he filed a petition and sought compensation. The issue presented to the court was whether the lack of adequate medical facilities for emergency treatment constituted a denial of the fundamental right to life under Article 21.

The court found that it is the primary duty of a welfare State to ensure that medical facilities are adequate and available to provide treatment and for the violation of the right to life of the petitioner and accordingly compensation was awarded to him.

Hence, I think the National Human Rights Commission and Karnataka Lokayukta should take suo-motu cognisance of the lack of sufficient ambulance service in the city as a case of violation of human rights and do the needful in the interest of common man.

Coordination needed

Here is the reaction of Vijay Anand, Bangalore: I think we need coordination among the police, the city hospitals and the public on regulations on ambulances. A few suggestions are to be prescribed on the quality of the ambulance and the equipment it should contain, paramedics on call who are required to staff these ambulances and some traffic laws to guide ambulances quickly to their destination.

Your table on emergency phone numbers has too many numbers. One centrally coordinated number that can quickly receive calls, offer suggestions for saving life and arrange an available ambulance to the accident site within minutes is needed.

We need a service like the "911 model" in the U.S. The 911 operators can call the police control room to provide smooth movement of ambulances. The police there block oncoming traffic using traffic signal control and ensure smooth ride for ambulances. Ambulance drivers coordinate with the police on the traffic signal using wireless radio.

All this can be done in Bangalore too. We need a task force composed of police, hospitals and city public forums to work together to make it happen. I see this as the number one requirement in Bangalore to improve our quality of living.

Awareness needed

Dr. Nagendra writes: I once worked in a heart hospital in Tumkur and when we were transferring emergency patients from there to Manipal Hospital, I have seen myself that people hardly made way for ambulances even when they have the blue light and siren. There is a need for more awareness among the general public who must know that every second counts for the ill patients.

I agree that ambulances need to be better equipped and manned by trained paramedical personnel. Also, there should be a single number which must be well publicised for ambulance calls, reducing the confusion.

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