Ramaiah Memorial Hospital Boosts First Responder Preparedness on World Trauma Day

Nearly 18% of the 3,340 road accidents reported in Bengaluru between January and July 2026 were classified as fatal, highlighting the importance of timely emergency response at accident sites. In trauma, the first 10 minutes - the Platinum 10 Minutes - decide survival. Recognizing the critical role of those who reach an injured person before medical teams arrive, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital (RMH) marked World Trauma Day 2026 by conducting “BE FIRST – Basic Emergency First-aid Integrated Responder Skill Training,” a hands-on programme for over 100+ first responders. Organized under the theme “Building a Safer Future with Trauma Care,” the initiative aimed to equip participants with practical skills to respond safely and appropriately to trauma emergencies.

The first person at an accident site is usually not a doctor, but a policeman or home guard. The programme brought together first responders such as police personnel, traffic police, Red Cross volunteers, NCC cadets, Home Guards, and Fire & Emergency Services personnel to empower them to provide safe medical care at the site before ambulance arrives.

The training covered practical aspects of trauma response – like understanding the nature and mechanism of injuries, immediate bleeding control, splinting and bandaging, handling head injuries, rapid and safe shifting of trauma victims, and safe helmet removal. Through these hands-on sessions, participants gained practical exposure to essential first-response techniques that can help them provide appropriate assistance until professional medical care becomes available.

The programme was graced by Dr. P.R.S. Chetan, Gallantry Shaurya Medal Awardee, Officer Commanding (Head Qtrs. & Ops.) & State Nodal Officer, Civil Defence, Office of the Director General of Police at the Chief Guest, and Dr. Rajesh M.S., MC Member - Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Bengaluru Urban District, and CEO of NABK (National Association for the Blind, Karnataka) as the Guest of Honor, along with senior leadership and medical experts from Ramaiah Memorial Hospital. Dr. Aruna C. Ramesh, HOD & Senior Consultant, Department of Emergency Medicine, RMH, led the clinical training alongside the hospital’s medical team.

Dr. Madan S. Gaekwad, Chief Operating Officer – Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, said, “Effective trauma care does not begin only when a patient enters the emergency department. It begins at the site of the incident, where the actions taken in the first few minutes can influence the course of care that follows. Through ‘BE FIRST’, we are taking essential emergency-response knowledge beyond the hospital and strengthening preparedness among those who may be first to assist during an emergency. We aim to encourage a more informed and prepared community, where timely action and appropriate assistance can support the patient’s journey to definitive medical care.”

Dr. Aruna C. Ramesh, Senior Consultant & HOD, Department of Emergency Medicine, RMH, said, “In trauma, the response at the scene needs to be both quick and correct. Actions such as controlling bleeding, bandaging an injury, moving a patient safely or removing a helmet appropriately require basic knowledge and practical training. Through this programme, our focus is to give first responders hands-on exposure to these essential skills so that they are better prepared to act safely and effectively until the patient can access definitive medical care.”

Through the initiative, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital aims to strengthen awareness around appropriate first response and reinforce the importance of preparedness as an integral part of the trauma-care pathway.

About Ramaiah Memorial Hospital

Ramaiah Memorial Hospital (RMH), established in 2004, is a 500 bed, JCI-, NABH- and NABL-certified multi-disciplinary super specialty quaternary care hospital in Bengaluru, India. RMH received the Joint Commission International (JCI) Gold Seal of Approval in June 2025. The Gold Seal of Approval is a symbol of a healthcare organization's commitment to meeting international standards of patient care and safety, demonstrating excellence in clinical quality, patient safety, and outcomes. In June 2025, RMH was also certified by the American Heart Association (AHA) as a Comprehensive Chest Pain Center and by the American Stroke Association (ASA) as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. The recent FACT (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy) accreditation of our Bone Marrow Unit and stem cell laboratory reflects our adherence to rigorous, peer-reviewed standards, ensuring the highest quality of patient care across the entire stem cell process—from collection and processing to administration and long-term follow-up.

Over the years, the hospital has touched the lives of over 5 million patients and performed more than two lakh surgeries. Its transplant milestones are close to 600 renal transplants, over 50 heart transplants, more than 210 bone marrow transplants, and liver transplant services initiated in 2025.

Ramaiah Memorial Hospital is affiliated with Mount Sinai International, New York from June 2024, marking a transformative collaboration focused on elevating healthcare through excellence in clinical care, quality, research, innovation, and technology.

Our Centers of Excellence, such as the Ramaiah Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, Ramaiah Institute of Nephro-Uro Sciences, Ramaiah Institute of Neurosciences, and the Ramaiah Institute of Gastro-intestinal Sciences, are delivering comprehensive healthcare services under respective specialties along with other super-specialties.

RMH has received recognition from Newsweek as one of the World's best hospitals in 2025. The ranking is based on hospital recommendations from peers, hospital quality metrics, patient experience, and PROMs implementation survey.