Uttarakhand Governor Krishan Kant Paul said that the Red Cross as an organisation has now expanded and has a new meaning in today’s world. He said that with improved coordination among the Red Cross, Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), immediate medical attention could be given to victims of road accidents which could save many lives.
The Governor said this while presiding over the general body meeting of the Red Cross Society, Uttarakhand, at Raj Bhawan on Monday.
He said that feedback should be taken about the training given to members of the Red Cross regarding first aid and immediate medical attention. He said members of Red Cross must play an active role in providing first aid efficiently.
They should also, with support of police, make efforts to make people aware as to how road accidents could be checked.
He said that in remote and border areas, Red Cross members must give immediate treatment to the physically injured and those who were sick. Paul said that parameters must be fixed by Red Cross regarding the provision of financial help to families of accident victims.
After the recommendation of the DM of the district concerned, this amount should be decided upon. He said school and college students, and NCC cadets must be inspired to donate blood. Availability of blood should be ensured in areas which witnessed more accidents.
Referring to Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and Education Minister Arvind Pandey’s presence in the meeting, Paul said that this would help accelerate action to be taken regarding various issues raised by the members of Red Cross committee. He suggested to the committee that it should approach industrial enterprises for support through their corporate social responsibility schemes in organising camps for health and cleanliness campaigns.
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that first aid training should be given effectively so that accident victims are benefitted. He said suggestions of the members would be considered and implemented. Efforts were being made to ensure availability of doctors in the mountainous –especially remote areas of the state. He said that soon, 65 ambulances will be provided in various districts.
Education minister Arvind Pandey said that Red Cross must also look after the medical needs of underprivileged children studying in schools. The Uttarakhand Red Cross Society General Secretary Dr IS Pal informed about the various activities of the district branches in 2016-17.