Pune: Delay in timely medical help, especially during the golden hour, can make a difference. If a medical emergency happens in a crowded public space such as a railway station, it is difficult to reach a doctor. To avoid such a situation, the Pune Railway Division has set up an emergency medical assistance booth near the entrance of platform number one of the Pune railway station. The medical assistance booth will be inaugurated on Sunday by MP Anil Shirole.
“When a passenger requires medical help during a journey, it is very difficult to provide it at a nearby station. The new facility at the Pune railway station has been set up under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) provided by the Aditya Birla Hospital. The primary health care service is provided by them to railway passengers free of cost. An MBBS doctor and his assistant will be present 24x7 at the station,” Milind Deouskar, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Pune division, told Sakal Times.
The centre attends to cases of heart attacks, breathlessness, injuries and other medical help. An ambulance is also stationed inside the station complex, in case a patient has to be rushed to a nearby hospital.
“If a passenger is going towards Daund from Mumbai or towards Mumbai from Daund and they require medical help, the doctor will be available 24x7 at the station. The centre will have equipment like a defibrillator, a nebuliser, a stretcher, a wheel-chair and other necessary medical equipment,” Krishnath Patil, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Pune division, told Sakal Times.
Ajit Prasada (62), a diabetic patient and resident of Baner, recalled an incident that happened with him during a journey from Indore to Pune, as he required an insulin when the train left from Kalyan for Pune.
“That was a horrible journey. When we left the Kalyan junction, my father required insulin. We requested the Railway Protection Force (RPF) for help. When we reached Lonavla station, a doctor was present with a medical kit. It is a requirement that all stations should have at the medical assistant booth. If the Pune station will have a booth, it is a welcome move. Many patients like my father need emergency medical help during journey,” said Sanjana Parasad (42), Ajit Prasad’s daughter.
