Traffic police to bring in own fleet

“We are introducing a crisis management system that would reduce the response time and ensure faster medical help to accident victims,” said DCP (Traffic) Manoj Patil. He said the digital mapping of all hospitals within the city jurisdiction had been done.

The initiative is also focusing on how better coordination between the private/civic hospitals,traffic police and citizens can be forged so that accident victims get critical care with very little loss of time.

Towards this,the traffic police will put in place a separate control room in addition to main police control room. “We have received four ambulances from the Union Road Safety Department and they have been stationed at Hadapsar,Yerawada,Pimpri and Hingewadi to cover the city.”

Once the system becomes operational,an ambulance will be pressed into service immediately to take an accident victim to the nearest hospital besides alerting the nearest police station about the incident.

Patil said no hospital could refuse medical treatment to an accident victim and it had to ensure the shifting of the patient to another hospital only if there was a lack of facilities.

The Pune chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) said its members would extend all possible help to the initiative. “It makes a huge difference if the victims get treatment during the golden hour. We will direct all hospitals to admit victims without hesitation. The only issue is that for fatal injuries,the patient will have to be taken to bigger hospitals,” said Dr Dilip Sarda,president of the chapter.

Patil said it was equally vital that citizens participate in this initiative and stop being indifferent due to the misconception that the police would harass them. “Many accident victims do not receive emergency medical assistance till the arrival of the police. This time lag often proves critical; citizens could make a big difference by immediately contacting the police and simultaneously taking the lead in shifting the injured to a hospital.”

Chandmal Parmar,who takes up road safety issues,said,“An effective treatment regimen is needed for accident victims. Around 50 per cent deaths occur due to delayed medical assistance. If the police take such an initiative and medical fraternity joins in,citizens can’t stay behind.”

PMC health chief R R Pardeshi said it was necessary that the civic body too became part of the initiative. “We are unaware of the traffic police drive. There has been no such communication. The PMC is ready to contribute in all possible ways.”