Most of the victims suffer from head injuries and fractures
Number of persons involved in road accidents in the city has increased by over 50 per cent in the last two years
Chennai: More than one-third of the patients at emergency and casualty units in government hospitals in the city are road accident victims. Doctors say that most of these victims suffer head injuries and fractures.According to the state transport authority, the number of persons involved in road accidents in the city has increased by over 50 per cent in the last two years. Most accident cases are two-wheeler accidents, involving the collision of scooters or bikes. This is followed by two-wheelers hit by a four-wheeler, bus or lorry, and the third one is hit-and-run accidents, doctors say.
In addition, there is a rise of 15 to 20 per cent emergency cases in the past 10 days due to the rains. Almost all cases are mild ones with scratches, cut and wounds due to skidding and riding into potholes and bumpy roads, says Dr Rammohan, HoD of trauma care, Global Hospital.Doctors at the Rajiv Gandhi government general hospital (RGGGH) say that the hospital receives around 150 emergency cases every day.
Of these, around 35 persons come with head injuries and are referred to the neurology department, while around 12 patients are referred to the orthopaedics department. And 30-35 persons have major injuries; while 3-7 persons go for major operations on the head or bone fixing procedures.The highest number of cases in any hospital in the city is of road accident victims.
Fall cases come second and train accidents, burn injuries, murder attempts and suicide cases follow, doctors say. More than 120 emergency cases come to RGGGH by 108 ambulance. About 4 or 5 persons die per month due to delay in admission in the hospital, sources add.Explaining the government’s initiative in handling accident victims, Mr B. Prabhudoss, regional manager of 108 ambulance services operating under the Tamil Nadu health systems project, says, “The 108 ambulances handle around 2,500 patients every day across the state, of around the 16,000 calls it receives. Since most major accidents take place on the highways, one vehicle is stationed every 10 km for easy accessibility.”
He adds that the vehicle has four kinds of stretchers according to injuries and respiratory equipment.
There are 684 ambulances, including 34 neonatal vehicles and 30 in the hilly areas. Over 26 per cent of the cases handled are delivery cases, while accident cases come second with 25 per cent, he adds.
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