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In a major initiative to bring down accidental death cases in the State, the Commerce and Transport Department of Odisha will be introducing a first aid treatment and trauma care programme at road-side shops on November 10 this year.
Under this programme, arrangements will be made at different shops along the State and National highways to offer first aid treatment and pre-trauma care to accident victims immediately. In the preliminary phase, the Commerce and Transport Department will train around 500-600 master trainers at 10 different locations.
Furthermore, with the help of the Health Department and Red Cross Society, people associated with different business entities will be trained by professionals for providing first aid to accident victims immediately. The programme will also include Dhaba owners, betel shops and tea shop owners on the roadside. All these first aid points will be identified based on the police station areas.
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Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will be inaugurating the programme on November 10, informed the Secretary, State Commerce and Transport Department.
"The first hour after the accident is considered as the 'Golden Hour' and it is crucial to provide immediate medical assistance to the accident victim within this time. However, on failing to do so, the accidental death remains high. The ultimate aim of government with this programme is to provide first aid to the accident victims immediately which will hopefully bring down the death rates," said Madhusudan Padhi, Secretary, Commerce and Transport Department.
The government aims to train around 30, 000 persons every year under this programme which is indeed the first time of its kind.
As per the Central government's Road Transport and Highways Ministry's data, around 48 death cases are reported in every 100 accidents in Odisha, while the all India count remains at 35. Moreover, of the total, around 60-70% of accidents are reported on National Highways and Highways in Odisha.
Around 350 accident-prone spots or 'black spots' have been identified in the State till date. Meanwhile, the government has plans to work on 100 black spots and rectify those spots. Such an initiative of the government is being applauded by roadside vendors.
"Almost every day we witness several accidents, and even we have sent the victims to hospitals. Such an initiative of the government is welcoming but we need to be trained well so that we can give first aid to the patients before the arrival of the ambulance," said Pradeep Kumar Samal, a betel shop owner.
Meanwhile, a Dhaba owner, Sayad Mumtaz Ali, said, "I witness several accidents throughout the day as my Dhaba is located close to the national highway. We help the accident victims, as much as we can. This initiative of the government will be more helpful in saving precious lives."
However, road safety experts have expressed concerns over the highway construction across the State which share a major chunk of accidents.
"There should be no 'U-Turn' on National or State highways. The probabilities of accident swell up in such circumstances as the riders may not be able to judge the vehicles coming from the opposite directions and end up meeting with an accident. Removing the U-Turns will certainly raise the travel costs of the commuters but will save their lives," said Sayad Maqbul Ali, former member of the National Road Safety Committee.
