Health Department distributes first aid kits among street vendors, auto drivers

Our Correspondent

Patiala, August 19

To provide quick relief for victims of road accidents, the Health Department has started a special campaign from the city by distributing first-aid kits among street vendors working by the roadsides.

Health Department officials also distributed the kits among auto-rickshaw and rickshaw drivers. The campaign has been started in association with Jerath Path Labs. Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, Dr Rajiv Bhalla, started the drive by distributing the kits among the vendors.

Dr Bhalla said the motive behind the drive was to save the lives of accident victims by providing them immediate first-aid with the help of road workers.

“Sometimes, the ambulance fails to reach the accident spot in time which can put the life of victim in danger. But if any of the passers-by would have the first-aid kit, he or she could save the victims’ life by providing first aid to the victim,” Dr Bhalla said.

Meanwhile, MD of Jerath Path Labs Dr Prashant Jerath said along with the distribution of first-aid kits, they had also distributed pamphlets to make them aware of the use of medicines.

The inauguration of the campaign was just appeared a formality as the Director and other officials of the Health Department put up a stall in front of the Mata Kaushalya Hospital and distributed the kits among the street vendors just in front of the hospital. Notably, the street vendors have put up their stalls and carts encroaching the road leading to the hospital. Though the scheme has been launched with the motive of timely help, department officials distributed the kits among those street vendors who add to the traffic chaos in front of the hospital. Sometimes, ambulance and other vehicles carrying patients got stuck in jams which poses a threat to the life of patients.