Thiruvananthapuram: Trauma initiative to start on December 21

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The pilot project of a life saving initiative which offers a helpline number connected to the police control room, ambulance services and private hospitals with emergency care facilities will be launched in Thiruvananthapuram on December 21. As per the project, anyone can pass information on an accident to the helpline number, which is linked to city police control room number 100. Once the call is received, the details will be entered into IMA software which is connected to police department.  It will indicate the nearest available ambulance and the driver will be also be intimated through a mobile app. 

The nurse attached to ambulance will give details of hospitals in close proximity and the victim will be rushed to trauma care centres with all facilities including ventilators. The project is a joint initiative of US-based Dr Ramesh Kumar Found-ation; life saving initiative Trauma Rescue Initiative Thiruvananthapuram (TRI TVM) along with IMA Network For Trauma and Emergency Care (INTEC) and the police. On an average 11 persons die and 120 sustain grievous to minor injuries in road accidents in the state daily. While the fatal accidents have increased manifold, the facilities at these centres continue to remain poor. 

It is because of the high rate of fatalities that IMA joined hands with the Kerala police to put in place comprehensive trauma care network.  One of the reasons for the high death rate is lack of trauma facility soon after accident. TRI is the first step towards providing coordinated trauma care services.  It is being funded by Dr Ramesh Kumar Founda-tion. The foundation was constituted in memory of Dr Ramesh who died in a road accident in the US.

The foundation has granted Rapid Access Medical Unit (RAMU) for TRI. Apart from police, the pilot project will have government and private hospitals.  Ten trauma care hospitals and ambulances were included in the initiative. The system will be on the lines of online taxi services like Ola and Uber. A network will be put in place involving different sections. Special software will be developed for connecting general public with trauma care network. Name, address and all information can be given at the time of registration.