World Trauma Day: Take Action, Save A Life
Snigdha Basu
1 min read
Oct 17, 2016, 08:46 PM
World Trauma Day is marked on the 17th of October each year around the world. It is a day aimed at showcasing the need to prevent deaths and disabilities caused by accidents. Having pushed the agenda on road safety, also regularly covering stories on road accidents and the lack of apathy that often leads to deaths we decided to dig deeper.
When an accident happens, usually people gather and either lend a helping hand or call for help. But on Indian roads where 400 deaths happen per day, victims are often left without any help. In August this year, 36-year-old Matibool, who worked two jobs to sustain his family lay bleeding on the road for over an hour in Subhash Nagar, West Delhi.
CCTV footage showed 140 cars, 82 three-wheelers, 181 bike riders and 45 pedestrians passed the dying man without helping. Doctors said had he been taken to a hospital, he would have lived. The apparent lack of apathy troubles people, invokes debates but still gets repeated often. But the 'new low in the lack of apathy' is not just the lack of compassion but an entire system that weighs in against helping accident victims.
Golden Hour - the period immediately after an accident is a crucial factor in trauma cases. In a country where manoeuvring through traffic even for an ambulance is not easy, the role of by-standers and emergency staff (like PCR vans and fire squads) is vital - and yes every second counts. Dr Arun Prasad, neurosurgeon at Apollo Hospitals says, "We have trained about 2000 policemen in the NCR region with basic first aid techniques that are handy until an equipped ambulance reaches the spot. We are hoping to extend such training to schools, security agencies and media because it is often they who reach the spot first."
With poorly equipped and slow to arrive ambulances, the need of the hour is a Good Samaritan. Doctors say, often all they need to do is provide first aid and assure the victim that medical help is on its way. Prompt evacuation, checking pulse, providing CPR and doing a jaw thrust are some key techniques that doctors and paramedics explained and demonstrated to us. Usually after an accident, it is important to ensure the victims are able to breathe. Dr JC Passey, Director Lok Nayak Hospital says, "After an accident often the tongue rolls back blocking the airway. As a by-stander, all one has to do until paramedics arrive is: lift the jaw and chin and that will prevent the tongue from rolling back and allow passage of air."
India accounts for one-fifth of global deaths due to road accidents. One million people are killed and over 20 million hospitalised each year. In 2015, at least 1.5 lakh (150,000) people died due to road accidents in India. Statistics that raised concerns for a government that lost a cabinet minister in a car crash in 2014. Nitin Gadkari, Road Transport Minister set a goal to reduce car fatalities by 50% by 2020. This trauma day, lets pledge to be safe on the roads, stop and lend a helping hand.
When an accident happens, usually people gather and either lend a helping hand or call for help. But on Indian roads where 400 deaths happen per day, victims are often left without any help. In August this year, 36-year-old Matibool, who worked two jobs to sustain his family lay bleeding on the road for over an hour in Subhash Nagar, West Delhi.
CCTV footage showed 140 cars, 82 three-wheelers, 181 bike riders and 45 pedestrians passed the dying man without helping. Doctors said had he been taken to a hospital, he would have lived. The apparent lack of apathy troubles people, invokes debates but still gets repeated often. But the 'new low in the lack of apathy' is not just the lack of compassion but an entire system that weighs in against helping accident victims.
Golden Hour - the period immediately after an accident is a crucial factor in trauma cases. In a country where manoeuvring through traffic even for an ambulance is not easy, the role of by-standers and emergency staff (like PCR vans and fire squads) is vital - and yes every second counts. Dr Arun Prasad, neurosurgeon at Apollo Hospitals says, "We have trained about 2000 policemen in the NCR region with basic first aid techniques that are handy until an equipped ambulance reaches the spot. We are hoping to extend such training to schools, security agencies and media because it is often they who reach the spot first."
With poorly equipped and slow to arrive ambulances, the need of the hour is a Good Samaritan. Doctors say, often all they need to do is provide first aid and assure the victim that medical help is on its way. Prompt evacuation, checking pulse, providing CPR and doing a jaw thrust are some key techniques that doctors and paramedics explained and demonstrated to us. Usually after an accident, it is important to ensure the victims are able to breathe. Dr JC Passey, Director Lok Nayak Hospital says, "After an accident often the tongue rolls back blocking the airway. As a by-stander, all one has to do until paramedics arrive is: lift the jaw and chin and that will prevent the tongue from rolling back and allow passage of air."
India accounts for one-fifth of global deaths due to road accidents. One million people are killed and over 20 million hospitalised each year. In 2015, at least 1.5 lakh (150,000) people died due to road accidents in India. Statistics that raised concerns for a government that lost a cabinet minister in a car crash in 2014. Nitin Gadkari, Road Transport Minister set a goal to reduce car fatalities by 50% by 2020. This trauma day, lets pledge to be safe on the roads, stop and lend a helping hand.
Latest Cars
Upcoming Cars
Latest News
car&bike Team | Mar 27, 2026Us-Iran War: Nayara Energy Hikes Fuel Prices By Up To Rs. 5 Per LitreAmid the ongoing US-Iran war, fuel retailer Nayara energy has announced a hike on Petrol and Diesel by up to Rs. 5 per litre1 min read
car&bike Team | Mar 27, 2026Toll Rates To Go Up On Major Expressways And Highways From April 1The Toll Hike is adjusting to inflation and usually comes into effect at the start of new financial year1 min read
Jafar Rizvi | Mar 27, 2026Royal Enfield App Updated: Navigation Now Works With Phone Screen LockedRoyal Enfield has rolled out an updated version of its mobile application with improved navigation and a bunch of added user-requested features.2 mins read
Jafar Rizvi | Mar 27, 20262026 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Launched At Rs 2.49 LakhRoyal Enfield has launched the updated Guerrilla 450 with a revised variant lineup, new tyres, updated ergonomics on the new Apex trim and fresh colour options.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | Mar 27, 2026Ultraviolette To Invest Rs 200 Crore To Expand Production; Eyes Second Manufacturing Plant In KarnatakaThe electric motorcycle manufacturer has signed a MoU with the Karnataka government with plans to invest into a second production facility and expand capacity at its existing plant.1 min read
car&bike Team | Mar 27, 2026Central Excise Duty On Petrol & Diesel Slashed By Rs 10 per litreExcise Duty on petrol has been reduced from Rs 13 to Rs 3, while the duty on diesel now stands at zero from Rs 10.2 mins read
Janak Sorap | Mar 25, 2026Ducati Desmo450 MX Review: In PicturesDucati’s first-ever motocross motorcycle, the Ducati Desmo450 MX, promises extreme performance and race-focused engineering, and we recently experienced it at BigRock Dirt Park to find out what it’s really like to ride.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | Mar 24, 2026Nissan Gravite Review: Sub-Rs 10 Lakh Seven-Seater That’s PracticalNissan has introduced the Gravite as a practical seven-seater that’s affordable, that’s easy to live with, and value for money. But should you buy it?1 min read
Janak Sorap | Mar 23, 2026Ducati Desmo450 MX Review: No Road, Only DirtDucati’s first-ever motocross motorcycle promises extreme performance, advanced technology and race-focused engineering, and we got a chance to experience it at BigRock Dirt Park to see what it’s really like.7 mins read
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Mar 21, 20262026 Renault Duster Review: The Hero Returns, But Does He Deliver?2026 Renault Duster - new design, new platform, modern tech, and most notably, the segment’s most powerful turbo-petrol engine.8 mins read
Bilal Firfiray | Mar 20, 2026Skoda Kushaq Facelift Review: Sharper, Smarter, Still The Driver’s SUV?Skoda Kushaq facelift comes with updated design, newer features on the inside, and a new 8-speed automatic gearbox. But does it still stand out as the driver’s SUV in its segment?5 mins read