“Apollo Launches Children’s Centre for Trauma! “

On World Trauma Day (17th October 2012), Apollo Children’s Hospital dedicated a state of the art trauma care centre to save little lives, Thiru. Rajendran, Additional Director General of Police, Tamilnadu formally inaugurated the centre today. Apollo Children’s Centre for Trauma (ACCT), equipped with high tech medical equipments and expertise (physicians and surgeons across anesthesiology and critical care medicine, emergency medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, plastic surgery and radiology) will provide 24X7 trauma care for children with severe and life threatening injuries. Apollo Chairman, DrPrathap C Reddy and MD Ms Preetha Reddy reiterated the importance of the platinum hour in treatment of injured children. Renowned singer Mano was invited and he enthralled the audience with his mellifluous melodies.

Studies reveal that every year around 10 lakh children die due to injuries and a number of them sustain serious injuries requiring hospitalizations, but these can be avoided by offering timely and quality medical assistance. ACCT is one such dedicated pediatric centre which provides multi disciplinary care approach for children with trauma and multiple injuries that require comprehensive care.

Pertaining to the fact that children are not mini adults and treatments and medical equipments required for elders do not suffice kids, ACCT is equipped with high tech medical equipments meant to treat childhood trauma. Dr Sankar, Consultant Orthopediacian gave a presentation on the facilities which makes ACH unique in handling child injuries and trauma. ACH is the only trauma centre for children to equip intracranial pressure monitoring to treat severe traumatic brain injury. The centre is facilitated within house blood storage and CT scan facilities, 24 hours Radiology and laboratory services in addition to the special pediatric ambulance service for rapid transfer of children requiring immediate interventions.

Speaking about the children’s centre for trauma, Dr. Indira Jayakumar, Senior Consultant, Pediatric Trauma and Emergency, Apollo Children’s Hospitals said, “”According to studies, children who suffer trauma have a better outcome if they receive care in a dedicated pediatric trauma centre. The first hour of trauma in adults is called the “”Golden Hour””, while in children it is called as the “Platinum 30 minutes”” and every minute delay can prove fatal. Hence Apollo Children’s Centre for Trauma is equipped with high tech medical equipments and multi specialty expertise to save lives of children who require emergency care.”

She also said, “Medical experts at ACT offer 360 degree care to the little ones through diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up care. ACT will also work towards preventing injury through community outreach programmes to educate the public, parents and children on how to avoid preventable injuries.” As part of Child Injury Prevention Campaign this year, Apollo Children’s Hospital has conducted first aid camps for children, Billion Hearts Beating pledge programmes for kids and Emergency Basic Life Support teaching seminars for teachers.

Apollo Children’s Hospital held slogan and painting competitions for school students to create awareness among them on safety measures like fastening seat belts, wearing helmets, avoiding mobile phone and consumption of alcohol while driving, winners were awarded with prizes and certificates during the launch. The painting /slogan writing were organized for children from the following 6 schools

1. Vidyodaya Matriculation higher secondary school
2. Sir Mutha school
3. MCC ,Matriculation School
4. DAV Girls Senior Secondary School
5. Sacred Heart Matriculation higher secondary school
6. Lady Andal

The All rounder trophy was won by the students of DAV Girls Senior Secondary School