Punjab’s Health Minister, Dr. Balbir Singh, underlined in Chandigarh the state’s dedication to lowering traffic accident mortality and enhancing emergency medical services. Dr. Singh gave an overview of the government’s comprehensive plan to reduce road accident fatalities by half by 2025 during a workshop on “Emergency Care and Schemes for Road Accident Victims in Punjab,” which was hosted by the Punjab Road Safety Council at MGSIPA.
The Farishtey Scheme is the main project of Punjab’s strategy. This concept uses volunteers to assist accident victims right away before emergency medical services show there. Known as “road safety angels,” these volunteers are skilled at stabilizing victims of accidents and expeditiously transferring them to medical facilities. The program is intended to guarantee that victims receive vital care in the vital “golden hour”—the initial hour after an accident, which is key for survival and mitigating long-term harm.
Furthermore, the Punjab government has established the Sadak Surakhiya Force in addition to the Farishtey Scheme. This force’s mission is to improve road safety by raising public awareness through campaigns, enforcing traffic laws, and increasing alertness. The Sadak Surakhiya Force strives to reduce the frequency of accidents and their severity by enforcing stricter traffic laws and increasing road discipline.
The health department’s growth of its ambulance fleet is another noteworthy development. Better pre-hospital care and faster medical assistance to accident scenes are guaranteed by the addition of new, fully equipped ambulances. The upgraded fleet, which is intended to enable faster and more effective patient transportation to medical institutions, is a crucial part of the emergency medical services infrastructure.
The integration of these activities within a larger framework of emergency treatment and road safety was emphasized in Dr. Singh’s speech. The coordinated actions show a proactive approach to controlling traffic safety and enhancing the experiences of accident victims. The Punjab government endeavours to tackle the preventative and response facets of road safety by means of a combination of volunteer support, law enforcement, and enhanced medical transport.
The session emphasized the significance of these programs and the Punjab government’s continuous dedication to improving emergency medical services and traffic safety. The entire approach aims to save lives and increase road safety in the state by not just lowering fatalities but also promptly and effectively treating individuals who are in need of medical attention.
SOURCE :
TIMES OF INDIA
