Pune : As part of its “Every Second Matters” community health initiative, Apollo Hospitals Pune trained more than 600 citizens in CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) through a week-long series of hands-on sessions aimed at strengthening emergency response awareness across the city. The initiative reached diverse groups across the city, including police personnel, auto-rickshaw drivers, cab drivers, and residents from housing societies, with the aim of equipping everyday citizens with life-saving emergency response skills.
The training sessions were led by Dr. Sujay Patil, HOD – Emergency Medicine and Acute Care, Apollo Hospitals, Swargate, Pune, along with a team of emergency medicine specialists. Participants were guided through live demonstrations, practical exercises, and real-life emergency response scenarios to help them gain confidence in providing immediate assistance during critical situations.
Speaking about the importance of CPR awareness, Dr. Sujay Patil, HOD – Emergency Medicine and Acute Care, Apollo Hospitals, Pune, said, “Cardiac arrests and medical emergencies can happen anywhere, and immediate action can save lives. The objective of these training sessions was to help ordinary citizens recognise an emergency and respond effectively until professional medical assistance arrives. It was encouraging to see such active participation from police personnel, drivers, and community members across Pune. Every person trained today has the potential to become a lifesaver tomorrow.”
Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Manisha Karmarkar, CEO, Apollo Hospitals Pune, said, “Medical emergencies often happen unexpectedly, and the first few minutes can make all the difference. Through our ‘Every Second Matters’ campaign, we wanted to take life-saving knowledge beyond hospital walls and into the community. Whether it is a police officer on duty, an auto-rickshaw driver on the road, a cab driver, or a resident in a housing society, anyone can become the first person available to help during an emergency. It is encouraging to see such enthusiastic participation from citizens across Pune, and we hope these skills empower them to act confidently and potentially save lives.”
Apollo Hospitals Pune continues to focus on preventive healthcare, community awareness, and emergency preparedness through regular outreach programmes aimed at creating a healthier and safer society.
