Written By: Satata Karmakar | Updated : March 24, 2025 2:03 PM IST
NHAI Collaborates With This Faridabad Hospital To Launch Landmark Emergency Training Program To Reduce Road Fatalities
New Delhi: India records the highest number of road fatalities globally, with approximately 178,000 lives lost each year. In a groundbreaking move to strengthen emergency response systems and enhance road safety issues in the country, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed an MoU with Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, on World Head Injury Awareness Day. The MoU was signed between the two organizations to launch a long-term polytrauma awareness campaign, 'Sar Salamat toh Ghar Salamat'. This initiative aims to train thousands of first responders, including NHAI ambulance personnel, private ambulance operators, and Haryana Police Patrol vehicles, focusing on emergency care along national highways.
As part of this initiative, over 150 ambulance workers received hands-on training on March 23rd from Dr. Gaurav Kakkar, Senior Consultant, Lead Neuro-Anaesthesia & Neurocritical Care, on critical interventions for road accident victims and emergency preparedness. This is the first step in a large-scale training drive, with periodic sessions every three months, aimed at building a nationwide emergency response workforce. This was further accompanied by a biker's rally to spread awareness and education. This initiative is in line with the Government of India's aim to reduce road fatalities and injuries by 50% by the year 2030, as per its commitment under the Stockholm Declaration.
Shri Ajay Tamta, Minister of State, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, said 'The government has been working dedicatedly with a 4E approach of Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Care to reduce the number of road accidents by half. Experts noted that strategic collaborations like these with renowned hospitals in the country will play a key role in achieving this goal of minimizing road fatalities in India. Emergency preparedness remains a crucial step in preventing accident-related deaths and ambulance workers and the police play a vital role in trauma response. This collaboration ensures they receive specialized training regularly. By improving emergency response, we move closer to safer roads."
India accounts for 11% of global road accidents, with highways and expressways contributing to 39.2% of total road mishaps. Recognizing the urgent need for trained emergency responders, this initiative represents a major step in ensuring that crucial life-saving skills reach the right people at the right time. The campaign is aligned with the Government of India's vision to reduce road fatalities and injuries by 50% by 2030, as per its commitment under the Stockholm Declaration.
"With this initiative, our hospitals aim to train thousands of ambulance workers in the future. This effort comes at a crucial time, as India accounts for 11% of global road accidents. The annual 'Sar Salamat toh Ghar Salamat' campaign will serve as a torchbearer for road safety awareness, emergency preparedness, and responsible driving across the country," Amrita Hospitals told the media.
As India grapples with high road accident rates, initiatives like this serve as a beacon of hope, ensuring that more lives are saved through timely intervention and trained emergency responders. With government backing and active participation from healthcare institutions, this campaign is set to transform the landscape of highway emergency preparedness in the country.
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