The Comprehensive Trauma Consortium (CTC) has launched Operation Sanjeevini, the medical emergency rescue service with a toll free number 1062. It is round-the-clock, right-through-the-week service for emergencies like accidents, poisoning, heart attack, stroke, paediatric, respiratory or obstetrics. The service is aimed at reaching the 'golden hour' care for an emergency victim. Its trained paramedical staff includes 400 Hoysala police personnel, 60 volunteers, and staff of the 18 affiliate hospitals in the city.
In medical emergencies, treatment received in the first hour decides the fate of the many victims and that's our objective to give the right attention at the right time, said Dr. N K Venkataramana, incharge, CTC and consultant neurosurgeon, Manipal Hospital. Arrangements are being made with the Bangalore Police to get VIP clearance for these ambulances, he added.
The fleet of 20 ambulances are equipped with life saving drugs, spinal board, splint, cervical collar and suction apparatus. A few are also fitted with ventilators. A hi-tech control room with Wireless Base Station, Repeator to boost message in a 100 km of radius beyond city limits, digital mapping of Bangalore, GPS (global positioning system) helps to monitor ambulance movements.
It is a decentralised trauma care network with seven zonal hospitals across Bangalore. Each zonal hospital is in turn connected with area hospitals where infrastructure for trauma care is present. The zonal hospitals are Manipal Hospital, St. John's Hospital, Mallya Hospital, NIMHANS, Mallige Hospital, Ramaiah Hospital and Hospital for Sports Medicine and Trauma (HOSMAT).
On receiving a call, the control room activates the zonal centre under which the victim is located. Ambulance and paramedics then reach the site of emergency by which time the hospital is also ready to receive the patient. Digital networking and GPS helps the paramedics to keep in touch with the doctors until the patient reaches the hospital.
The CTC aims to train volunteers as paramedics and is looking at the student community and senior citizens for this service. Volunteers especially housewives can contribute time for our control room operations, informed Dr. Venkataramana.
CTC works with a corpus fund from medical professionals and corporates. Contributions from the public are exempt from the Income tax and they may even remit to the Sanjeevini Corpus Fund, CTC at Hong Kong bank by cheque or ATMs.
CTC is especially looking for corporate funding to improve on the air ambulance network. Presently it is operating under concessional rates through Deccan Aviation Club. "We aim to reach the air ambulance service to the common man just like how the computer has penetrated homes today," Dr. Venkataramana noted. "We are in the process of tying up with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for operations at a cost price," he added.