‘70 p.c. accident victims suffer brain damage’

Dr. N. K. Venkataramana, vice-chairman, BGS Global Hospitals, says recognising head injury and providing first aid can prevent paralysis and disabilities

The highest number of deaths due to road accidents in the world occurs in India, according to World Health Organisation (WHO). According to a study released by BGS Global Hospitals, an average of 8,000 accidents occur every year in Bangalore and 51. 6 per cent of all injuries in the city are attributed to road accidents.

In an effort to raise awareness regarding accident injuries and first aid measures, Bangalore City Traffic Police and BGS Global Hospitals observed World Head Injury Awareness Day recently.

Stressing on the importance of attending to the victim in the golden hour (the first hour after an accident), Dr. N. K. Venkataramana, vice-chairman, BGS Global Hospitals said that it was vital that the victim is immediately shifted to a hospital and given first aid failing which the injuries can lead to lasting damages.

“About 70 per cent of accident victims are affected by neurological injury affecting the brain or nerves. The most affected age group is from 15 to 45 years. Recognising serious head injury and providing first aid can prevent paralysis and disabilities,” he said.

Wear helmets

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) B Dayananda, who inaugurated the program, emphasised on the need for wearing helmets to reduce severity of injury, avoiding drunk driving and following rules to prevent accidents. He requested participation from members of the public to tend to the needs of the injured following an accident. He said that an ‘Ambulance Priority Campaign’ is being undertaken in the city to raise awareness among commuters to give way to ambulances.

The program involved a demonstration for training traffic police personnel on helping the injured. As the traffic police is usually the first to reach an accident spot, they must be quick in providing first aid and shifting the victim to the nearest hospital.

BGS Global Hospitals is training the police in ‘Basic Life Support’. It involves skills required in emergency situations and to attend to head injury victims at the accident spot. These include Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) through chest compressions, rescue breaths, relieving choking among others. The hospital has trained about 3,000 traffic cops in the last one year.