Nadda calls for national trauma care policy

Calling for a national trauma care policy, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday stressed the need to ensure quick relief for trauma patients through airlifting and mobile clinics, especially in remote areas.

Addressing the Transport Ministers Forum on Road Safety, Nadda said it was important to enhance capacity and infuse knowledge on road safety-related actions among the public.

The Minister called for engaging various sectors, including health, in preventing road accidents.

Nadda said that approval had been given for developing 85 trauma care facilities in government hospitals on the national highways.

He said during the 12th Five-Year Plan, 85 medical colleges/district hospitals have been approved.

"National Injury Surveillance Trauma Registry and Capacity Building Centre has been established at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi. Advanced trauma life support/national emergency life support training for doctors and basic life support training for nurses is also being organised at the RML Hospital," said Nadda.

He said 'National Programme for Trauma Care' is proposed to continue under an umbrella scheme 'National Programme for Prevention and Management of Trauma and Burn Injuries' wherein 30 new trauma care facilities will be set up.

The Minister said a proposal for continuation of the scheme with an outlay of Rs 554.41 crore has got the go-ahead and has since been placed before the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for approval.

The event was organised by the International Road Federation and attended by Transport Ministers of eight countries. Road Transport and Highways Secretary Yudhvir Singh Malik was among the officials present at the event.

--IANS

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