Concern Over No Highway Trauma Care Facilities In Chittoor, Tirupati Districts

TIRUPATI: Chittoor and Tirupati districts have 12 national highways passing through them, but have no dedicated trauma care centres. This is raising concerns over emergency response being delayed on case of accidents, which are an almost daily occurrence. As a result, there are risks of avoidable deaths and long-term disabilities.

According to official figures, the two districts record 50 to 55 road accident deaths every month involving pedestrians and motorists, the annual toll reaching nearly 600. In addition, around 1,400 people are injured each year, close to 10 per cent suffering permanent disabilities.

Tirupati district has seven national highways and Chittoor district five NHs pass through them. The traffic volumes are high throughout the year.

Doctors say trauma care centres located near highways can save lives by ensuring quick treatment. These centres function round the clock with specialists in orthopaedics, anaesthesia, general surgery, neurosurgery and plastic surgery. They have facilities, such as CT scan, ultrasound and blood banks.

Availability of trained emergency teams during the golden hour after an accident is critical. In their absence, accident victims often end up getting shifted from one hospital to another, leading to delays in treatment.

Many of the accident victims are pilgrims travelling to Tirumala, Kanipakam and Srikalahasti, a large number of them from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Police officials say common causes of accidents include drivers falling asleep, vehicles crossing dividers and rash overtaking at high speed. In several cases of accidents in Chittoor and Tirupati districts, victims receive only basic treatment locally. They are later shifted to their home states after family members arrive.

Union government had earlier stated that trauma care centres should be set up in or near hospitals along the national highways. It had offered partial financial support for buildings and equipment for setting up such centres. Yet, the offer has not led to setting up of trauma care centres in the two districts.

According to sources, a trauma care centre sanctioned for Chittoor district headquarters hospital had later been shifted to Nellore. Proposals for setting up such centres at Nagari, Palamaner, and Kuppam reportedly did not receive approval. A site had been inspected at Bangarupalem, but it did not become a reality. Tirupati district has also faced similar issues.

People believe trauma care centres can be established only if MPs and MLAs from both districts take the initiative. However, there is criticism that no concrete steps are being taken by these public representatives with either the central or the state government.