Management students to get trained in first aid

AHMEDABAD: Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) students will soon get lessons on emergency medical care. IIM-A students will undergo a two-day emergency medicine workshop where they will add cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support (BLS) knowledge to their repertoire.
The workshop will be held in association with Apollo Hospitals International Limited (AHIL), first on August 15 and then on August 22.Consultant and head, emergency medicine department, AHIL, Dr Ketan Patel will be heading the workshop.
On the workshop, co-ordinator, Panacea-Healthcare of IIM-A Dr Sandeep Sawakare said, "In the current health scenario, it is imperative to equip every student with a knowledge of how to react in medical emergency situation."
"There are many cases of medical emergency on the campus for which we need immediate attention. There are no hospitals in close proximity of the institute and in those critical moment providing emergency care becomes crucial," Sawakare added.
The workshop will consist of theory as well as hands-on practical training on mannequins. Panacea is a special interest group at IIM-A. Secretary, media cell, Glen D'silva said, "The workshop will train students in various techniques of first aid and medical emergencies like heart attack, unconsciousness, road traffic accidents, convulsions among others. The workshop is open for all the IIM- A students volunteering for it."
CPR is the process for artificially maintaining blood circulation to the brain when the heart stops beating due to heart attacks, accidents, drowning, choking, electrocution or poisoning.
Sawakare said, "In western countries, even a commoner knows how to respond in emergency situation. However, we still lack it. These are basic skills that a layman should know in order to act responsibly in an emergency before the arrival of medical expertise."
"A CPR certificate will be also awarded on successful completion of this workshop to participating students," he added.
According to the American Heart Association estimates, approximately 2 lakh lives can be saved each year if CPR is performed early enough.
The workshop will include training on medical emergencies trauma-related emergencies and environmental emergencies, heat stroke, drowning, snake bite, suicidal tendencies and stress-related problems.