Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Empowers Navi Mumbaikars with Life-Saving CPR Skills
Fortis Hiranandani Hospital's 'Har Ghar Hero' initiative trained 25,000 Navi Mumbaikars in life-saving CPR skills during the Ganpati festival.
In a significant move to bolster community emergency preparedness, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi has expanded its 'Har Ghar Hero' initiative, aiming to transform ordinary citizens into capable first responders. By taking life-saving training directly into the streets, schools, and residential societies of Navi Mumbai, the hospital is working to bridge the critical gap in cardiac emergency response.
Turning Citizens into Life-Savers
The initiative focuses on teaching the public how to recognize the signs of a cardiac arrest and perform basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). With most cardiac arrests occurring outside of hospital settings—often within the home—the ability of bystanders to act during those first critical minutes is vital for survival.
Data highlights a pressing need for such community training, as bystander CPR rates in India remain relatively low, ranging between approximately 1.3% and 9.8%. By bringing training to the people, the hospital aims to reduce the hesitation and uncertainty that often prevents people from acting during a medical crisis.
Reaching 25,000 People During Ganpati Festival
The program strategically leveraged the Ganpati festival to reach a massive audience. During the festivities, when lakhs of people congregate in community spaces, the hospital engaged approximately 25,000 individuals. This outreach spanned various sectors of society, including:
- Religious Gatherings: Prominent Ganpati pandals such as Vashi Cha Ganjraj, Navi Mumbai Cha Raja, Juinagar Cha Raja, and others across Sanpada and Koparkhairane.
- Educational Institutions: Students and staff at SIES College, Tilak College, Anjuman-I-Islam College, and Navi Mumbai Vidyalaya.
- Residential Societies: Communities including Moraj Residency, FAM CHS, Kalash Udyan CHS, Balaji Garden CHS, and Himachal CHS.
- Corporate and Community Groups: Various local organizations and workplace environments.
The Power of Immediate Intervention
Dr. Ashutosh Pandey, Facility Director at Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, emphasized the life-saving potential of these sessions. He noted that immediate CPR can increase a person's chances of survival by two to three times.
"Through ‘Har Ghar Hero’, we were able to take CPR awareness directly into communities and help address the hesitation and uncertainty that often accompany a medical emergency," Dr. Pandey stated. He highlighted that the Ganpati celebrations provided an ideal platform to engage with large numbers of people in a natural setting, reinforcing the importance of being prepared for sudden medical emergencies.
As Navi Mumbai continues to grow as one of the fastest-growing urban centers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the hospital's efforts to build a culture of emergency preparedness marks a crucial step toward a safer, more resilient community.