Pune: Hospital trains transgenders to be first responders to mishaps

PUNE: Lokmanya Hospital has initiated a first aid training programme for transgender persons, who are generally spotted at traffic signals and are therefore likely to witness road accidents.
A group of 20 transgender persons attended a workshop on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first-aid, and basic life support on Tuesday.
“Transgender persons who beg on streets and signal stops are more likely to witness road accidents, and if they are trained to provide basic help and call the ambulance in time, it will help save many lives,” said transgender activist Sonal Dalvi, who also attended the workshop.
A transgender participant said, “We were taught to first check if the person involved in an accident is breathing, their responsiveness and call the emergency helpline. We were taught how to act in case of a heart attack and give CPR.” All transgender persons, who attended the workshop, received certificates on completion.
Narendra Vaidya, surgeon and managing director, Lokmanya Hospital, said, “The number of patients seriously injured in road accidents is high. We see more than 15,000 accident cases every year in critical condition. Many of them need immediate surgery. Many deaths and impact of injuries can be prevented with first aid if casualties are treated immediately during the golden hour.” This initiative will be extended to residents of housing societies, corporate employees, autorickshaw and bus drivers as well.
In Pune, around 145 deaths, caused by road accidents, were reported from January to August this year.