Apollo Hospitals, the first super-specialty hospital in the erstwhile combined state of Andhra Pradesh and the first functional Health City in Asia, is celebrating 30 years of world-class care to its patrons, aiding them to traverse the journey from illness to wellness. Launched on 27th August, 1988 as a 150 bedded hospital on a hillock in the then outskirts of Hyderabad, Apollo Hospitals has today evolved into a global healthcare destination. Apart from serving the healthcare needs of patients from Hyderabad, neighboring states and India; Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, now has a footprint across 70 countries.
To commemorate the occasion, Apollo Hospitals along with the Hyderabad Police has launched a high intensity public information campaign on Road Safety, including 'Basic Life Support' training to a cross section of the city populace. The Hospital will deploy five floats decked with thought provoking messages on road safety, going around the city and educating the motorists on safe driving practices, dos & don'ts, strictly avoiding distraction from mobiles phones etc. A Walkathon from Apollo Hospitals to KBR Park on Sunday, will kick-start the campaign, which will be flagged-off by Mr M Mahender Reddy, IPS, DGP, Telangana; Mr Anjani Kumar, IPS, CP, Hyderabad and Dr Sangita Reddy, Jt. Managing Director, Apollo Hospital.
Apollo receives several road accident victims and off-late there is an alarming rise in the incidence. As a pioneer in world-class emergency and trauma care in India, it has well established and process driven standard protocols coupled with highly trained emergency specialists. The hospital's hub & spoke' network of Apollo emergency rooms across the city connected via teleconference facilities, enable accident victims in remotest part to access speedy care. The dedicated emergency number 1066 and network of life-support ambulances with qualified paramedic teams, ensure life-saving care to the victim at the accident site itself and during transit to the hospital. Dedicated trauma care pathway practised by the hospital, fast-tracks accident victims and ensures coordinated assessment and rapid delivery of care. Post recovery rehabilitation and support from Apollo's ApoKOS and Apollo HomeCare, make sure that the patient is back to his normal routine in no time. During these thirty years as a stake-holder in this serious social concern, the hospital was instrumental in saving several precious lives and is enormously perturbed with the situation getting worse by the day.
As per WHO and Indian Government statistics, motor vehicle accidents rank ninth in order of disease burden in India and is projected to catapult to the third position by 2020. In India, more than 70,000 die due to road accidents every year and the serious proportions its reaching makes it eligible to be recognized as an important public health concern. Hyderabad is not lagging behind, the city records a death, seven road accidents and seven people being injured on an average, every day. Often these victims are in the prime of life and lone breadwinners for the families. Most go back to their routine post treatment, but with some setback in terms of precious time and money and there are unfortunate few who tend to lose their limb or life. With the rising motor vehicle population and city expanding rapidly, the incidence could only rise, unless conscious effort is made to curb. This has spurred the Hospital to initiate a social campaign, as road accidents are totally avoidable with little care and safe driving.
To proactively raise awareness and aid victims, Apollo Hospitals will impart training in 'Basic Life Support' (BLS) to the policemen, who are often the first responders and reach out and provide immediate succor to the accident victims. Policemen from across the city will be trained at their respective police stations. In addition, employees deputed by Corporates will be trained at the BLS Simulation labs at the hospital. These employees would in turn train their colleagues, to achieve a cascading effect in the mission.
The Campaign will also reach out to the City Schools, to educate and inculcate the habit of safe driving in the students at a young age and also to caution them from resorting to under-age driving, mobile phone distractions, driving with earphones plugged in etc. The students will also be imparted with BLS training. All those trained in BLS will be designated as "Life Savers" and are competent to aid victims of road accident in their vicinity before the arrival of ambulance.
Apollo's Journey...
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, has accomplished multiple important milestones during this immensely satisfying journey of thirty years and each one of these milestones provided energy and motivation to move further. Today, its world-class services are accessible to patients in every nook and corner of the city. Its network of six hospitals at Jubilee Hills, Hyderguda, Secunderabad, Kukatpally, Kondapur and Shamshabad, make this possible and a patient in any part of the city can reach his closest hospital in no more than twenty minutes.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Sangita Reddy said, Technological supremacy, continuous skill enhancement, an environment of innovation coupled with our patient centric approach, are the hallmarks to the success of Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad. However, we believe that there is a lot more to do and are recommitting ourselves to the challenges ahead. This institution nurtures innovation and I am confident we will see many more path-breaking initiatives from Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad in the years to come, she adds.
Apollo Hospitals was the first hospital in Andhra Pradesh to be accredited by the Joint Commission International, USA and was also the first hospital in the world to be certified for management of stroke. The Hospital was aptly acknowledged for its superior work with several prestigious awards including Avaya Global Connect Award, G20 Award, Super brand and a variety of others. The biggest award of all was the trust of our patients, the medical fraternity and the community, which has translated into our being the hospital of choice, says Dr Sangita Reddy.
About Apollo Hospitals: It was in 1983, that Dr. Prathap Reddy made a pioneering endeavour by launching India's first corporate hospital - Apollo Hospital in Chennai. Now, as Asia largest and most trusted healthcare group, its presence includes 8,488 beds across 51 Hospitals, 1,586 Pharmacies, 92 Primary Care and Diagnostic Clinics, 100 Telemedicine units across 10 countries. Health Insurance services, Global Projects Consultancy, 15 colleges of Nursing and Hospital Management and a Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials, epidemiological studies, stem cell & genetic research and the first Proton Therapy Centre across Asia, Africa and Australia.
In a rare honour, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo's contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2010. For more than 28 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Our hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals globally for advanced medical services and research.
