R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, SEP 25
Ahead of the World Heart Day -September 29, Kauvery Hospital on Sunday, launched Restart Heart Foundation, an initiative to save precious lives from sudden cardiac arrests in public places and educate the community on prevention of cardiac arrests and equip them with the skills to provide immediate response during emergencies.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=770293710921856&extid=NS-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing
- We have to encourage the public and officials to get trained in Basic Life Support: Director General of Police Sylendra Babu
- Foundation plans to install over 100 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at key locations across Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu
- AEDs, portable life saving devices which are voice-prompted to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, at Semmozhi Poonga, Tidel Park and Swamy Vivekanandha House in Chennai.
- As a first step, about 300 policemen who were stationed behind Semmozhi Poonga for providing security to the Chief Minister will be given training on how to operate AEDs
- Over 10,000 people from all walks of life across the state shall be trained and certified over the next three years to use AEDs.
- 50 companies have generously come forward to support the foundation in installing AEDs in public areas under their CSR initiative, says Founder Director Aravindan Selvaraj.
Thousand Lights MLA Dr Ezhilan launched the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) at Semmozhi Poonga, the brain-child of DMK Patriarch and former Chief Minister Dr M Karunanidhi on Sunday.
Dr Ezhilan said that he was privileged to launch the AED at Semmozhi Poonga and explained the salient features on how the AEDs could help prevent cardiac arrest deaths.
As a first step, about 300 policemen who were stationed behind Semmozhi Poonga for providing security to the Chief Minister will be given training on how to operate AEDs, later on it would be extended to traffic policemen in the city and autorickshaw men etc.
Deputy Commissioner of Police T Nagar Adarsh Pachera said, “It is a great initiative, as it will prevent number of unnatural deaths reported every month under his jurisdiction.”
Through this foundation, Automated External Defibrillators (AED) have been installed at Semmozhi Poonga, Tidel Park and Vivekanandhar Illam (Ice House) in Chennai.
Speaking on the initiative of the doctors and other staff members of Kauvery Hospital, Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Founder-Director, Kauvery Hospitals said, “Despite medical advances in the management of heart attacks in the last five decades, nearly 8 lakh people die due to sudden cardiac arrest in our country every year, with a survival rate of only 5%, making it one of the most important medical emergencies. It is crucial to administer immediate medical assistance to people who suffer cardiac arrests. More than 70% of cardiac arrests occur outside the hospitals. Timely “restart” with an AED increases the chances of survival significantly. Therefore, educating the public in taking the initiative and acting promptly and confidently at the site of such an emergency can save the lives of many. As part of Corporate Social Responsibility, many corporates have agreed to support this project. I encourage the public to undergo the necessary training in Basic Life Support and be a saviour.”
Speaking to navjeevanexpress.com, Dr Aravindan Selvaraj said, “Each machine costing Rs. 80,000 would be installed across the state with CSR support of various corporates in the state. 50 companies have generously come forward to support the foundation in installing AEDs in public areas under their CSR initiative.”
In his message, Director General of Police Sylendra Babu said, “The use of AEDs at public places at our country is still at a nascent stage. We have to encourage the public and officials to get trained in Basic Life Support. An emergency situation can occur anytime and anywhere, and the right intervention, without delay, can help save a life. I believe the police personnel who shall undergo this training can serve people better. This move by Restart Heart Foundation is truly admirable and commendable and such a noble initiative which is definitely going to make an impact on saving lives.”
