As part of its "The Revive Life Campaign," Navi Mumbai-based Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital has recently announced a programme to train people in the Navi Mumbai region in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

In a statement, the hospital said that the initiative, named The Revive Life Campaign, aims to train 100,000 people in the city in the skills needed to save lives in emergencies, wherein it will provide training to people to give CPR in a crisis where an individual has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.

The hospital also stated that the first phase of the training programme will be held in multiple locations, including corporate offices, public spaces, and the hospital itself, throughout March 2023.

According to the hospital sources, the event will target various groups, including corporate workers, residents of societies, auto-rickshaw drivers, police, firefighters, NMMC workers, NMMT employees, college students, and the public attending events at malls, railway stations, and public gardens.

Giving details about the campaign, Dr Bipin Chevale, Director and Head of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, said, “In recent times, we have heard of multiple incidents of people suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest.”

Pointing out that sudden cardiac death is responsible for half of all heart disease deaths, Dr Chevale added, “In such cases, emergency CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation can revive the person and make the difference between life and death.”

“We believe that CPR training is an essential life skill that everyone should possess. It can make the difference between life and death in an emergency,” he further added.

“With the "The Revive Life Campaign" initiative, we will ensure that the people of Navi Mumbai are equipped with the skills they need to save lives and respond effectively in emergency situations,” Dr Chevale said.

The hospital stated that it has formed a task force comprised of five teams of CPR training experts. While one team will be based at the hospital to provide in-house training, the others will travel to different locations to provide hands-on adult CPR training as well as lectures on infant and child CPR.

"CPR training is an important skill that can help save lives in an emergency," said Dr Suraj Kumar Agarwal, Consultant, Emergency Medicine at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.

Emphasising that it is an essential skill and is easy to learn, he added, “It is important that as many people as possible are trained in this skill, as the victim needing CPR could be a friend or family member.”

Pointing out that time is of the essence, and the earlier the victim is treated, the greater the chances of survival, Se Agarwal said, “When someone suddenly becomes unresponsive and is not breathing and has no pulse, it is extremely critical to get them stabilised to avert permanent damage with CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.”

The hospital also stated that no fees will be charged for the training and encouraged people to participate in the programme.

According to the hospital, the initiative will foster a culture of preparedness and responsiveness in the community, ultimately saving lives.