The number of deaths due to accidents has reduced in the State, Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan has said.
“Trauma is one area in which Tamil Nadu has to be very alert. Two years ago, the State had become the trauma death capital. It has fallen back. Now, we have reduced deaths due to accidents,” he said at an event organised by Apollo Children’s Hospital to mark the World Trauma Day here on Wednesday.
Every year, around 10,000 people were dying in road accidents in the State, he said, adding that trauma also maimed people. “For every death, almost three to four times more people are either permanently maimed or go through a prolonged rehabilitation process,” he said.
He said the government was upgrading six level-one trauma care centres with advanced equipment and facilities to perform brain injuries. In all, 75 hospitals in the State were equipped to attend to accidents immediately, he added.
The Health Department, through a Memorandum of Understanding, would collaborate with the National Trauma Research Institute, Australia, he said.
Mr. Radhakrishnan said that last year, there was an unprecedented number of dengue cases, while H1N1 cases were reported in the beginning of this year.
“Source eradication needs to be done to prevent mosquito breeding. If there are mosquitoes, look within 500m for a breeding source,” he said. He emphasised the need to wash hands regularly.
On the occasion, Apollo Shine Foundation recognised the “unsung heroes” of trauma care and the 108 and 1066 emergency services. The foundation, a not-for-profit student health initiative, along with Apollo Children’s Hospital, organised an awareness campaign called “Voice of the Students” across schools in Chennai to educate motorists on road safety, a press release said.
M. Ravi, additional DGP, and Sathyabhama, regional director for medical services, Apollo Hospitals, were present on the occasion.
Suspected A H1N1 death
P. Pon Kumar, 24, of Rajapalayam, who was said to have “failed to cooperate with doctors of three hospitals” since October 7, died on Wednesday due to suspected swine flu. As a precautionary measure, officials of the Health Department provided Tamiflu, an anti-viral medication, to his kin.
Nine persons, including the parents, other family members and close contacts of the deceased, were administered the Tamiflu tablet to prevent the spread of the flu. The deceased’s contacts have been advised to immediately get themselves admitted to a hospital if they experience symptoms of fever.
