New Delhi: What would you do if someone in front of you suddenly suffers a heart attack? Most people panic and wait for an ambulance. But if CPR is administered correctly during these precious minutes, a life can be saved. Keeping this in mind, the Health Ministry organized CPR Awareness Week across the country from October 13 to 17.
During this five-day campaign, over 6.06 lakh people were directly trained in CPR. In total, 7.47 lakh citizens participated in various activities. This was the largest CPR awareness campaign ever.
Numbers Tell the Story
On the very first day, October 13, 14,701 people joined the live CPR demonstration. This program was broadcast on ECHO platform and YouTube Live. On the MyGov portal, 79,870 people took a digital pledge to learn CPR and teach others.
Youth also participated enthusiastically. 36,040 people participated in the CPR Quiz organized on MyGov and MyBharat platforms. Under the ‘Volunteer for Bharat’ initiative, 368 youth voluntarily contributed to this awareness campaign.
Why is CPR Important?
India’s bystander CPR rate is much lower than global standards. When someone has a cardiac arrest, the first few minutes are most critical. If CPR is given immediately, the chances of survival increase significantly.
“Compression-only CPR is a simple technique that anyone can learn. It only requires regular pressure on the chest. It’s easier than traditional mouth-to-mouth CPR,” an expert explained.
Training at PMO Too
On October 16, 70 officials of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) received special CPR training. At Nirman Bhawan, Central Government employees, CISF personnel, housekeeping staff, and officials from various ministries were trained. 264 people participated.
Experts Discussed
A panel discussion was organized on “CPR Techniques and Role of Bystanders.” Six experts from AIIMS New Delhi, Dr. RML Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, and SGT Medical College participated. 10,129 people attended this session.
Experts explained through live demonstration how CPR is performed. They also provided information about using Automated External Defibrillators (AED).
Campaign Spread Nationwide
This campaign wasn’t limited to Delhi. Health departments of states and union territories organized programs at their respective levels. Central hospitals, AIIMS, institutes of national importance, and Indian Red Cross Society also played active roles.
Several departments including Home Ministry, Defence Ministry, Railways, Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry organized training sessions in their respective areas.
Digital Reach
The ministry uploaded an educational video on YouTube that will serve as a standard resource for states and union territories. Expert interviews in both English and Hindi were shared on social media.
The live CPR demonstration held on October 13 in the presence of Health Secretary was covered by several news agencies including Doordarshan. A special program titled “Total Health – Medical Emergency” was broadcast on DD News on October 19.
Way Forward
This initiative shows that when government, civil society, and common people work together, big changes can be brought about. CPR is a skill everyone should know. In emergencies, it can save someone’s life.
The Health Ministry says this is just the beginning. More such campaigns will be run in future so that CPR becomes a common skill.
Also Read | 10 Simple Health Resolutions: A Global Call for Better Living
