International Road Federation (IRF) , Geneva based Global Road Safety body working for better and safer roads worldwide in a letter written to the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has urged him to restore normal trauma services at the Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre (JPNAT) which is part of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the National Capital Delhi.
The Jai Prakash Apex Trauma Centre (JPNAT) was Converted to COVID Facility during March 2020 and the Trauma Services were shifted to Main AIIMS Hospital with a make-shift Trauma Emergency Department (Ground Floor of Old RAK OPD Block) and the In-patient beds were reduced to less than half of the original Trauma Centre strength and were distributed in various wards (at different locations) of the AIIMS Main hospital and Neuro-sciences Centre (for Neuro-trauma).
“India accounts for about 1.5 lakh road accident deaths per year , the highest in the world with more than 4.25 lakh Injuries/ Trauma in India annually, most of them are in the young age group of 18-40 (>70%), therefore tremendous loss of Productive years of lives lost. Moreover, Trauma causes very high in-hospital mortality (15-30%) as well as irreparable disabilities to the victim. It is a leading Cause of Disability Adjusted life years (DALY’s) lost in India. Trauma Care is Acute care and the results are time dependent and any loss of time during the In-hospital care leads to death/ disability.” Said Mr K K Kapila, President Emeritus, International Road Federation (IRF) in his letter to the Union Health Minister .
“JPN Apex Trauma Centre Achievements within a span of 3-5 years of setting up the Apex Trauma Centre had become a world famous Level – I trauma care with an Annual foot fall of >70-80,000 (only injured patients). It has been the only center in the country providing 24×7 quality patient care with all specialties catering to the injured patients. The Centre also catered to complicated trauma victims referred from other Hospitals, patients from Central Armed Police forces injured in action, patients of Mass and multiple casualty incidents. The principal specialties include, Trauma Surgery & Critical Care, Emergency Medicine (Trauma), Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Plastic & Reconstructive surgery, Anesthesia/ Neuro-Anesthesia & Intensive care, and had support from all other clinical specialties (like OBGyn, Pediatric Surgery, Endocrinology, Cardiology etc. from AIIMS, New Delhi).” Said Mr Kapila.
“ With number of Covid cases going down considerably in the country it is high time the emergency services at the JPNAT should be fully restored as a fully functional Level – I Trauma Centre meant for highest level of Holistic Trauma Care which requires multiple specialties under one roof so as to provide timely and high class, coordinated multispecialty care so that precious lives and limbs could be saved.” Said Mr Kapila.
“Trauma Centre is an Acute Care Centre and it requires a holistic multispecialty care under one roof for coordinated and timely care to achieve better patient outcomes. The Trauma patients have not stopped and are continuing to increase in numbers putting a lot of loads which the main AIIMS hospital is not geared up for. Trauma care cannot be denied to any arriving trauma victim. The JPNAT is mandated to provide this urgent care without compromising quality.” He added.
“IRF urges government top restore full fledged services at JPNAT and the COVID facility may be shifted to a separate wing in the main Hospital.” Said Mr Kapila.
