AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Tuesday organised a three-day workshop to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to women National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers.

CPR, a lifesaving technique plays a pivotal role in saving the lives of the victim till immediate medical care is available. It’s useful in emergencies.

The workshop organised by AIIMS Bhubaneswar in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education, Government of Odisha, has been designed specifically for NSS women volunteers.

The workshop will continue till February 8.

AIIMS Bhubaneswar executive director Dr Ashutosh Biswas along with noted social activist Padmashree Tulasi Munda inaugurated the workshop on Tuesday.

It may be noted here that, one in four deaths in India is due to cardiovascular diseases. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in India. In the recent past, the country has witnessed many deaths due to sudden cardiac arrest outside the hospital.

In these circumstances, CPR plays a pivotal role in saving the lives of the victim till immediate medical care is available.

Dr Biswas said: “The 3-day workshop has been uniquely designed to impart the knowledge and skills required to attain better health. This workshop will cover the basics of CPR, adolescent health, menstrual hygiene, nutritional requirements of women and common non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, which are due to modern-day lifestyle.

Tulasi Munda said: “This workshop will not only boost the confidence of these NSS women volunteers in handling common health problems in their families and communities, it also will give them an insight into the basics of a healthy lifestyle.”

More than 200 NSS women volunteers and 19 programme officers from 10 aspirational districts like Koraput, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Balangir, Subarnapur, Nabarangpur have participated in the programme.

Notably, AIIMS Bhubaneswar NSS Bureau has provided CPR training to more than 10,000 persons.

“The national institute has been providing this life-saving skill to students and common people in different parts of the state and has a target to provide CPR training to 1 lakh people,” said the official.

Among others, the regional director, NSS, Bhubaneswar, Sarita Patel, DEAN, AIIMS, Dr P.R. Mohapatra, medical superintendent, AIIMS Bhubaneswar Dr Dillip Kumar Parida, special secretary, department of higher education, Manoranjan Nayak and many senior officials were present on the occasion.