Sir,
I wholeheartedly welcome the direction by the Supreme Court to Railways to make available an oxygen cylinder in all the trains for emergency use.
Recently, I was travelling back to Mysuru from Chennai by Cauvery Express. I was in a two-tier AC coach along with my wife. Nearly one hour after we left Chennai Central, the TT came running asking me whether I am a Medical Doctor (he could make out by the Reservation Chart where I had mentioned that I am a Medical Doctor and also a senior citizen).
When I said that I was a Medical Doctor, he requested me to see a passenger in the General Compartment who had collapsed. I immediately rushed to the coach, where already one doctor was doing her best to resuscitate the collapsed passenger who had a massive heart attack. I also joined her and relieved her in between to continue resuscitative process. When I asked for any oxygen or any emergency medicines in the train, the two TTs who were nearby said no.
I then suggested the TT to contact the Loco Pilot to stop the train in the next possible station with clear instruction to keep an ambulance ready in the Railway Station and to stop the train in such a way that the coach should be very close to the ambulance.
All the passengers in the coach were requested to make way so that the collapsed passenger could be moved to the ambulance without any hurdles.
When the next station approached, the ambulance was there ready with a stretcher. Patient was moved quickly to the ambulance and shifted to the Hospital.
Our journey to Mysuru continued. Thanks to the TTs and Loco Pilot and also the Station Master who co-ordinated as I suggested. Kudos to co-passengers who vacated the entire seat for the patient to sleep.
In addition to oxygen cylinder, I would like to suggest the Railway authorities to provide certain medical equipment like AMBU BAG which helps push oxygen to patient’s lungs along with emergency medicines and also to post one paramedical staff who can stock and help any doctor travelling to save the patients under such circumstances. Golden Hour is most crucial.
– Dr. X.A. D’Souza, Medical Superintendent, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Bannimantap, 10.11.2017
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This post was published on November 21, 2017 6:40 pm