Punjab: Doctors, paramedics directed to keep first-aid kits in personal vehicles

Chandigarh: The doctors, paramedical staff and teachers in Punjab have been directed to store first-aid kits in their personal vehicles to ensure the provision of immediate medical attention to accident victims before they get shifted to the nearest health facility.

The Punjab director (health services), while quoting health minister Balbir Singh, directed the civil surgeons to instruct all senior medical officers and medical officers under their jurisdiction to store first-aid kits in their personal vehicles. The direction was issued so that the medical practitioners could immediately attend to accident victims. 

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The civil surgeons were directed to write to the district education officers so that the latter could pass the necessary instructions to government teachers. Medical professionals are required to store advanced first-aid kits, while paramedical staff and teachers are required to keep basic kits. 

The advanced medical kit should consist of 22 items including paracetamol, disprin, combiflam, dicyclomine, cetirizine, sorbitrate, amlodipine, domperidone, injections like dexamethasone, deriphyllin and perinorm, band-aid, cannula, syringes, micropore, bandages, gauze piece and betadine. Whereas, a basic kit consists of betadine, paracetamol, disprin, combliflam, gauge, band-aid, and bandages. 

The order is issued to the professionals in government service. While appreciating the move, Harpreet Singh, president of Punjab-based road-safety NGO Avoid Accident said that non-medical staff should also be trained as first responders. Harpreet told the Times of India, "Medical staff is trained to handle the situation, but teachers are not. So, there is a need to give them basic training." 

According to Section 138 (4) (D) of the Central Motor Vehicles Act 1989, all vehicles are required to carry a first-aid kit containing an antiseptic ointment tube, sterilised cotton, elastic and waterproof plaster, gauze and bandage for wounds and burns. But the majority of the vehicles in the state run without a kit. 

According to the 'Road Accidents and Traffic - 2021' annual report, 5,871 road accidents were registered in Punjab, out of which 4,589 people passed away and 2,032 people suffered serious injuries. The majority of these road accidents were reported in rural areas. 

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