Experts Discuss Teaching CPR in Indian Schools at AIIMS Meeting
A meeting was held at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi to discuss the introduction of CPR training in Indian schools. The event was attended by several notable figures, including Dr. Vinod Paul from NITI Aayog and Dr. Sanjeev Bhoi from AIIMS.
Research Study on CPR Training
Dr. Sanjeev Bhoi led a research study, funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), involving 4,500 students from 15 schools in Delhi over three years. The study showed that students were enthusiastic about learning CPR, with older students performing better due to muscle strength.
Importance of CPR Training
Experts highlighted that immediate CPR can significantly reduce fatalities from cardiac arrests. In India, only 0-10% of heart attack victims receive CPR from bystanders, compared to 50% in many European countries. Teaching CPR in schools could help save millions of lives.
Support from National Bodies
The initiative is supported by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes skill-based learning. The meeting also included inputs from Dr. M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, and Dr. Dinesh Parsad Saklani, Director of NCERT, among others. They stressed the need for a national policy to integrate CPR training into the school curriculum.
Next Steps
The meeting concluded with a call for a national and state-level policy framework to incorporate CPR training in schools. The aim is to prepare a dissemination plan to spread this life-saving skill across India.
Doubts Revealed
CPR -: CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It is a life-saving technique used in emergencies when someone’s heart stops beating. It involves chest compressions and sometimes mouth-to-mouth breathing to help keep blood and oxygen flowing in the body.
AIIMS -: AIIMS stands for All India Institute of Medical Sciences. It is a group of public medical colleges in India, known for providing high-quality medical education and healthcare services.
Dr. Sanjeev Bhoi -: Dr. Sanjeev Bhoi is a medical expert who specializes in emergency medicine. He is one of the experts discussing the importance of teaching CPR in schools.
Dr. Vinod Paul -: Dr. Vinod Paul is a well-known doctor and a member of the NITI Aayog, which is a policy think tank of the Indian government. He is also involved in the discussion about teaching CPR in schools.
National Education Policy 2020 -: The National Education Policy 2020 is a policy introduced by the Indian government to improve the education system. It includes various changes and new initiatives to make education more effective and inclusive.
Cardiac arrest -: Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency where the heart suddenly stops pumping blood. It can be very dangerous and requires immediate help, like CPR, to save the person’s life.
Muscle strength -: Muscle strength refers to how strong your muscles are. In the context of CPR, older students might perform better because they have stronger muscles, which helps them give effective chest compressions.