ICMR Launches Project to Advance Emergency Care Systems

This project, officially launched in Puri on Tuesday, focuses on improving the immediate treatment of critical conditions such as heart attacks and brain strokes. 

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has initiated a significant project to enhance emergency care nationwide. 

This project, officially launched in Puri, focuses on improving the immediate treatment of critical conditions such as heart attacks and brain strokes. 

The project will be piloted in five locations: Puri (Odisha), Ludhiana (Punjab), Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh), Vadodara (Gujarat), and Pondicherry.

Project Roadmap

The ICMR's new National Health Research Priority Project is designed to advance emergency care by addressing several key areas. 

According to Dr Ashutosh Biswas, executive director of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, the project's objectives include enhancing logistics, upgrading healthcare provider skills, and integrating IT and AI tools into emergency care systems. 

The project will also focus on mapping emergency facilities to improve response times and efficiency.

Dr Biswas outlined the main components of the project, stating, "The project will address seven critical emergencies: heart attack, brain stroke, trauma, snake bite, poisoning, respiratory emergencies, and neonatal and maternal emergencies." 

He emphasized that improving ambulance services, boosting community demand, and training first-level responders are crucial elements of the initiative.

Concentrating on critical emergency situations, the project aims to build a more robust emergency response system across the selected regions. 

Enhancements in ambulance services and community awareness, along with the training of first-level responders, are expected to improve the timeliness and quality of emergency care significantly. 

Integrating IT and AI tools is anticipated to streamline processes and improve emergency response capabilities. 

Mapping of emergency facilities will ensure better coordination and quicker access to care, potentially reducing the impact of critical conditions on patients' outcomes.

Collaboration & Support

The ICMR will fund the project, while AIIMS-Bhubaneswar will provide technical support. The respective state governments will be responsible for managing logistics and manpower. 

A research team led by Dr Arvind Kumar Singh, an additional professor at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, will develop and implement the project model in collaboration with the state governments.

The project's launch follows a three-day national consultation conference held at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar. This conference, which concluded on Tuesday, was aimed at finalizing the project's modalities and ensuring effective implementation. 

Furthermore, Dr Singh's team will work closely with the state governments to tailor the project to the specific needs of each region, ensuring that the interventions are effective and scalable. 

The pilot phase will allow for adjustments based on local conditions and feedback.