Thane: Against the backdrop of India’s approximately 1.77 lakh road deaths annually, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, has launched a community-focused initiative centered on CPR Training for AutoRickshaw Drivers to strengthen emergency response during the critical golden hour.
As part of the program, over 100 auto-rickshaw drivers from the Thane-Ghodbunder Road belt are receiving hands-on training in CPR and basic first aid to help stabilize patients before ambulances arrive. Each participant is also being provided with a first-aid kit to keep in their vehicles.
As road crashes and lifestyle-related cardiac arrests continue to claim hundreds of lives daily, the hospital is empowering auto-rickshaw drivers with life-saving skills.
With traffic congestion often delaying emergency vehicles, auto-rickshaw drivers are frequently among the first to reach accident sites and medical emergencies. The initiative equips them to provide immediate support and early stabilization until professional medical care becomes available.
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CPR Training for AutoRickshaw Drivers Focuses on Golden Hour Response
The CPR training for autorickshaw drivers includes live CPR demonstrations, hands-on practice on mannequins, basic trauma care, and early patient stabilisation techniques conducted by expert doctors from KIMS Hospitals. Each trained driver is also provided with a first-aid kit to strengthen on-ground emergency response capabilities.
The CPR training for autorickshaw drivers initiative is being carried out by KIMS Hospitals in association with Amar Gharat Foundation, which is supporting community mobilisation and outreach among auto-rickshaw drivers in the region.
Speaking on the broader vision behind the CPR training for autorickshaw drivers initiative, Saurabh Gupta, Regional Director, KIMS Hospitals, said: “Care during the golden hour often starts on the road. By training auto-rickshaw drivers as first responders and also offering them Oral cancer screenings, we are extending critical care beyond hospital walls and into the community.”
Highlighting the medical importance of early action, Dr Anil Heroor, Director – Oncological Sciences, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, said: “Many auto-rickshaw drivers are at higher risk of oral cancer due to tobacco use. Simple screenings like these can catch early signs and make a real difference.”
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Dr Hitesh Singhavi, Consultant – Head & Neck Oncosurgery, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, added: “Oral cancer often goes unnoticed until it becomes serious. Bringing screening closer to people helps with early detection and better outcomes.”
Emphasising emergency preparedness, Dr. Ankit Biyani, HOD – Emergency Medicine, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, added: “The first few minutes after an accident or medical emergency are critical. Training auto drivers helps bridge the gap between an emergency and ambulance care.”
Alongside the training program, KIMS Hospitals Thane is also conducting oral health screenings for participating auto-rickshaw drivers, focusing on early detection of oral health issues among those who consume tobacco, reinforcing the hospital’s focus on preventive and community healthcare.
Through this initiative, KIMS Hospitals continues to extend care beyond hospital walls by empowering everyday citizens, strengthening emergency response systems, and building a safer and more prepared community in Thane.
