First aid arrangements at Metro stations

At least 23 first aid kiosks and a team of medical trainers will be placed at prominent Metro stations in the capital to provide prompt assistance to commuters during the Commonwealth Games in October, an official said Sunday.

'The first aid kiosks will be installed at 23 Metro stations, which are expected to have a higher footfall during the Commonwealth Games. A team of four qualified first aid trainers will be on duty,' a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) official said.

Besides first aid, other medical facilities such as blood pressure, temperature checkup and general medicines will be provided at the metro stations.

'We are planning to give round-the-clock ambulance services around the metro stations. Ambulances will be stationed near the metro stations, so they can be easily availed of in cases of emergency,' the official added.

About one million commuters use the Metro on weekdays. During the Games, about two million commuters are expected to use the Metro on weekdays.

CWG OC facing challenges in procuring ambulances

With the Commonwealth Games deadline fast approaching and the partnership with Fortis Hospital failing, sourcing ambulances has become a major concern for the Health department.

The state government had earlier partnered with the Fortis Group to roll out 150 fully equipped ambulances in time for the Games. The first batch was to be delivered in January. The PPP, however, fell apart after the Health minister inspected the fleet and found that they had failed to meet government specifications.

The Health department will soon be approaching an arbitrator for a closure on the PPP with Fortis.

Of the 150 ambulances, 141 will be for basic life support and nine advanced life support. Besides, there will be 20 ‘first-responder’ (two-wheeler) vehicles — the objective of which will be to reach the victim within 15-20 minutes of receiving the call for help.

In a recent meeting with the heads of over 30 private hospitals in Delhi, Health minister Kiran Walia discussed the options, one of which is using the services pro-bono.

“The private hospitals have been considerate and have offered us help in every possible way,” Walia said. “Many of them are offering us brand new ambulances for use during the Games.”

The Delhi government will soon place urgent short notice tenders to procure 31 ambulances — of which 21 will be Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances and 10 Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances.

“We will have ALS and one BLS ambulance in each of our hospitals. Besides, we will rent ambulances and ensure there is no shortage,” she added. The tender process is likely to be over within two months.

Since 1991, pre-hospital medical emergency transportation and ambulance services have been provided through the Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS). Currently, there are 35 CATS ambulances spread across 21 base stations in the city.

CGF monitors medical facilities in Delhi

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), on Wednesday took stock of the medical facilities being readied by the Delhi Government for the Commonwealth Games to be held here from October 3 to 14.

At a meeting, Health Minister Kiran Walia appraised a CGF delegation about the 'Health Action Plan' adopted by the government for Games of 2010 to improve various medical facilities in Delhi ahead of the mega sporting event.

She informed the delegation that three hospitals are being readied to take medical care of athletes, team officials and other members of the Commonwealth Games family.

"The delegation expressed satisfaction over our preparation to meet health care requirements during the event," a senior health department official said after the meeting.

Jegathesan, who led the delegation, hoped the government will be able to fully implement its plan to provide the best medical facilities during the event.

He also advised the government to make available isolated beds at designated hospitals for treatment of swine flu patients.

The government has identified GB Pant hospital, RML hospital and Jai Prakash Narain Apex Trauma Centre, AIIMS as designated hospitals for the sporting event. Each of these three hospitals will have special wards, ICU beds and other facilities.

Walia also informed the delegation that polyclinics will be set up at the Games Village and modern ambulances will be deployed round the clock at various venues.

She said the government was also improving facilities at hospitals run by it as part of its preparation for the event.

A Commonwealth Games cell has already been made functional at Directorate of Health Services which has been asked to monitor implementation of the Health Action Plan.

Walia said doctors and para-medical staff have been trained to extend the best service to participants and officials of the event.