KOCHI: Medical data reveals that road traffic injuries account for 80 p.c. of multiple traumatic injuries in the country, according to Dr Tigy Thomas Jacob, president, Kerala Orthopaedic Association. He was speaking at the Cochin International Orthopaedic Summit (CIOS) being held here. “Studies show that three percent of our country’s GDP is affected annually due to road accidents. Governments, both central and state therefore need to actively step in. Health sector needs to evolve region-wise effective solutions for prevention of accidents and treatment and care of trauma victims,” said Dr. Tigy Thomas Jacob.
“We need more and more advanced trauma care and rehabilitation centres. More importantly, the government need to classify and accredit hospitals as primary, secondary and tertiary trauma care centres based on facilities. The ambulance staffs need to be trained to identify primary, secondary and tertiary trauma cases and make considered decision at the accident site as to where they have to rush the patient for effective treatment, in the run against time,” Dr. Tigy Thomas said.
Dr Tigy said the government is reported to have taken steps to see to it that all phone manufacturers would make mandatory inbuilt GPS system and emergency button in mobile phones to quickly track down emergencies.
“In cases of accident emergencies, a single emergency number for police, fire and ambulance which in turn locates and chooses the nearest and best equipped multiple trauma care units in the locality can save many lives,” he added. He also underscored the need for compulsory first aid training at residents associations, schools and colleges to ensure that every lay bystander at the accident site is effective. He also stressed on the need for comprehensive road safety laws, stricter enforcement, better planning of roads, safety programmes to bring behavioural changes among road users including pedestrians to prevent accidents. Dr. Varghese Cherian, IMA president-elect, Dr. A.A.John, president CIOS, Dr. Sabin Viswanath, Dr.John Thayyil John, Dr. Rajeev Stanly and Dr.Venugopal.R also spoke at the inaugural session of the meet scheduled for three days.
