Assam, the gateway to Northeast India, with an area of approximately 78,438 sq km, has been abundantly blessed by Mother Nature with a wide diversity of flora and fauna and rich deposits of minerals and natural resources. Assam is also inhabited by a population of approximately 2,80,00,000 consisting of a large number of ethnic tribes, speaking a host of languages and dialects.
However, to cater to this large population, emergency services in this region, barring a few private hospitals, were practically non-existent. This scenario, however, changed when the Government of Assam entrusted GVK-EMRI with the task of establishing an EMS system for Assam. It was planned that 280 advanced life support ambulances would operate for Assam, for which there was a requirement of 840 emergency medical technicians (EMT) and an equal number of pilots (ambulance drivers).
GVK-EMRI commenced operations in Assam from November 6, 2008, with a fleet of only 20 ambulances operating in Kamrup district alone. Within a short span of only 12 months, GVK-EMRI extended its operations to cover all the districts of Assam and today more than 230 advanced life support ambulances are providing quality pre-hospital emergency services to the State.
All these ambulances are manned by qualified EMTs. These EMTs undergo rigorous training by qualified emergency physicians/instructors at the end of which, they sit for a gruelling examination, where eminent physicians from Guwahati Medical College test their knowledge and certify them as competent before being deployed them in the ambulances.
Training for the EMTs start with the “First Responde’s Course” where the EMTs are taught how to impart first aid in a systemic and organized manner in case of different emergencies. The EMTs are encouraged to convey this knowledge to others in the society, so that the general population as a whole become aware of handling emergency situations in an organized and scientific manner. This is followed by training in Basic Life Support (BLS) where the EMTs are taught how to resuscitate a patient of cardiac arrest, how to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) without any complicated interventions.
Theoretical classes for EMTs start with “An Introduction to Body Systems,” where the EMTs are taught about the different body systems and the basic components of each system and their functions. Besides, the EMTs are also taught how to handle environmental emergencies and all trauma related emergencies. They are also taught about normal labour and how to conduct normal delivery.
The EMTs receive extensive hands-on training in various aspects of pre-hospital emergency medical care. The EMTs are trained in basic airway management, correct techniques of lifting and moving patients, use and application of spinal movement restriction devices, extrication techniques, techniques of obtaining iv access, operation of defibrillators, ventilators etc. After the end of their theoretical and practical training, the EMTs start the hospital phase of their training, which is a 10-day period during which the EMTs are posted in different departments of Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, where they work under the supervision of the respective department staff. After the hospital phase, the EMTs are posted in different ambulances of GVK-EMRI for further 10 days. This gives the EMTs an opportunity to acclimatize themselves with their future working environment. Here they work under the supervision of senior EMTs and assist their senior colleagues in providing pre-hospital emergency care.
Besides, the EMTs the pilots of the ambulances also undergo training for a week before they are posted in the ambulances. As like the EMTs, the pilots also undergo “First Responder Course”, training in Basic Life Support, extrication techniques besides fleet related training. Till date, around 905 EMTs had received training, of which, around 110 are from Meghalaya. Around 89 EMTs are currently undergoing training. Once the requirement of the number of EMTs is fulfilled, a refresher training for the EMTs is being planned. It is expected that with such training and expertise, EMTs will be able to provide quality and adequate emergency pre-hospital care to all. THE SENTINEL
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