Media release
Mangaluru, Jan 11: The Road Safety Awareness Week 2024 was inaugurated at KMC Hospital, Dr B R Ambedkar Circle in Mangaluru. The initiative was supported by Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery India AOMSI to spread awareness about the significance of road safety among the general public to prevent road fatalities.
Anupam Agarwal, IPS, commissioner of police, Mangaluru, along with Dr Dilip G Naik, pro vice-chancellor MAHE, Mangaluru Campus, and Saghir Siddiqui, regional chief operating officer of KMC Hospital, Mangaluru, inaugurated the event.
Each year, 'National Road Safety Awareness Week' is observed from January 11 to 17 to promote better driving practices among present and potential motorists and commuters. Negligence and a lack of awareness about road safety on the part of drivers are the primary causes of road accidents. Thus, educating people about road safety is necessary to decrease the annual number of fatalities and injuries on roads.
KMC Hospital, Dr B R Ambedkar Circle, has initiated a noble cause to prevent road fatalities by creating awareness and encouraging people to take preventive measures. The combined efforts by Mangaluru, AOMSI and KMC Hospital will help to decrease the number of road accidents by educating drivers about road safety and promoting safer driving practices.
The week long awareness activity was commenced by chief guest B P Dinesh Kumar, DCP Crime and Traffic Mangaluru by unveiling the hoarding which displayed information on road safety to the thousands of daily commuters crossing Dr B R Ambedkar Circle.
The activities will include continued medical education for doctors, helmet awareness among college students, reels contest, social media live with doctors, marathon-display of placards.
B P Dinesh Kumar, DCP Crime and Traffic Mangaluru said, “Road accidents lead to the loss of precious lives. National Road Safety Week is observed to create awareness about safe road practices, thereby preventing unnecessary loss of human lives. Educating people about the importance of safe road practices like wearing helmets, donning seat belts, and following traffic rules may help prevent injury. I would like to congratulate KMC Hospital, Mangaluru,for being the flagbearer in upholding the noble cause of saving lives.”
Dr Dilip G Naik, pro vice-chancellor MAHE, Mangalore Campus, said, “Safe road practices are vital for social and community safety. Objective of National Road Safety Week is to encourage people to follow safe road practices. Organising Road Safety Week educates communities, schools, and other organizations by making them participate in activities that promote road safety. Helping children understand traffic safety at a young age will go a long way in making them responsible citizens as they grow up and start using vehicles on the road. Community engagements promote road safety environments and encourage a sense of collective responsibility."
Dr. Jeedhu Radhakrishnan, regional head of Department of Emergency Medicine, KMC Hospital, Mangaluru said, “The Road Safety Awareness Week initiative aims to provide access to emergency care and increase awareness among the general public. With the support of Mangaluru Police, it will be a fruitful collaboration to join hands in raising awareness on emergency healthcare services to the people of Mangaluru and the neighbouring regions.”
In India, more than 85,000 people die because of road accidents every year which is 13% of the total fatality all over the world and most of them are in the younger age group (16 years to 45 years). As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), an Indian government agency responsible for collecting and analysing the data, the report comprised road accidents, railway accidents, and railway crossing accidents — the three major contributors to accidental deaths. Road accidents accounted for 97.3% of the total accidents, Dr Jeedhu added.
Saghir Siddiqui, regional chief operating officer, KMC Hospital, Mangaluru said "KMC Hospital has always been a one-stop destination for the healthcare needs of the people of Mangaluru and the neighbourhood region. With a team of highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals, we are dedicated to providing exceptional care to patients during any emergency medical services. We believe that initiatives like Road Safety Awareness Week would help benefit the people of Mangaluru and the neighbourhood region with the support of Mangaluru City Police.”
On this occasion few of the police representatives who were the first responders during road mishaps who rescued lives and set examples were felicitated.
Dr Abhay T Kamath - oral maxillofacial surgeon, Subramanya Udupa - administration head, senior doctors of KMC Hospital were present on the occasion.
Dr Vasudev compered the programme and Rakesh Dharshan proposed the vote of thanks.
About Manipal Hospitals
As a pioneer in healthcare, Manipal Hospitals is among the top healthcare providers in India serving over 5 million patients annually. Its focus is to develop an affordable, high-quality healthcare framework through its multispecialty and tertiary care delivery spectrum and further extend it to out-of-hospital care.
With the completion of the acquisition of AMRI Hospitals, the integrated network will have a pan-India footprint of 33 hospitals across 17 cities with 9,500 beds, a talented pool of over 5,000 doctors, and an employee strength of over 20,000.
Manipal Hospitals provides comprehensive curative and preventive care for a multitude of patients from around the globe. Manipal Hospitals is NABH, and AAHRPP accredited and most of the hospitals in its network are NABL, ER, and blood bank accredited and recognised for nursing excellence.
Manipal Hospitals has also been recognised as the most respected and patient-recommended hospital in India through various consumer surveys.