Leading hospitals in Karnataka like Brains and Apollo among others stress on the importance of effective ‘Golden Hour’ treatment to reduce brain-injury related fatalities. In its Helmet Saves, a CSR initiative by Exide Life Insurance highlights helmets work for bike riders, because it decreases the severity of the head injury, preventing lacerations and fractures.
Over a quarter of world's trauma fatalities occur in India. In Bengaluru, the number of fatalities per 100 accidents is at 51.4 per cent in the state, which is the fourth highest in the country. On occasion of the World Head Injury Day observed on March 20, 2018, the both Brains and Apollo highlight the emergency care services for accident and trauma cases.
Brains Hospitals runs 30 quick Golden Hour centres across Bengaluru each equipped to extend the right care to accident victims in line with globally prescribed practices and protocols.
“We have about 250 to 275 patients coming in every month with head injuries following road accidents. Immediate and effective emergency treatment in our hospital during ‘Golden Hour’ are crucial to saving the patient from further trauma,” said Dr A N Venkatesh Sr. Consultant & HOD, Emergency department. Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru.
According to Dr K Hariprasad, President, Apollo Hospitals Emergency Medical Services is still an under-appreciated speciality in India. The need to increase the number of specialists in this field will be crucial to save lives and improve well-being. India has amongst the world’s largest road traffic related fatalities. We would like to work in the coming years to strengthen this capability further.
A recent study by Exide Life Insurance reveals that 58% of Bengaluru riders and 84% of pillion riders admit helmetless travel on two wheelers. “There is significant evidence that road safety measures, including speeding interventions and use of helmets, seat belts, and child restraints, have a big impact on the survival rate of road traffic victims, stated Mohit Goel, Marketing and Direct Channel Director, Exide Life Insurance.
Dr N K Venkataramana, Founder & Chief Neurosurgeon, Brains Hospitals, Bengaluru, said that adherence to simple safety practices like wearing helmets and seatbelts and not using mobile phones while driving could bring down casualty rates dramatically. Drunken driving is again something that could be easily put down.”