The Fact Maker

Aster Hospitals Kerala Launch State Level BeFirst Campaign for All the Panchayats Across Kerala

• Free first–aid training for all the 941 Panchayats in Kerala

Kochi   : The State level inauguration of ‘BeFirst, To Aid and Save Lives,’ an awareness initiative of Aster Hospitals, Kerala this time across all the Panchayats in the state was officially launched by M. B Rajesh, Minister for Local Self Government, Kerala. Through this initiative, common people in all the 941 panchayats in the state get training on various aspects of medical emergencies. The objective of this initiative is to sensitize and enable people to recognize and respond to medical emergency situations accurately at the right time.

“Within a year, ‘BeFirst, To Aid and Save Lives’ campaign will reach all panchayats in Kerala, and we are happy to extend all the support of the Local Self-Government Department for this.  It is important that all local bodies, including panchayats, take advantage of this opportunity, said M. B Rajesh, Minister for Local Self Government, Kerala. ‘All the support from the government is assured’ added Rajesh while appreciating the Aster Group for providing such scientific training.

BeFirst campaign aims to reduce pre-hospital death in case of medical emergencies. Under this initiative, Aster Hospitals collaborate with institutions to train people on various aspects of medical emergencies and how to handle them like a pro. The specialized doctors from Aster Hospitals conduct workshops on first aid, Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support to equip one to handle medical emergencies.

“A life saved is the greatest accomplishment. The BeFirst initiative provides essential lifesaving tips to every common man. Taking this to people across Kerala makes Aster Hospitals incredibly proud,” said Farhaan Yasin, Regional Director, Aster Hospitals, Kerala  and Tamilnadu. 

Launched on August 15th , 2022 on Independence Day BeFirst campaign by the Emergency Department of Aster hospitals reached out to different sections of society in order to ensure maximum participation and engagement in saving lives. College students, Corporates, Ngos’s, Kudumbasree, NCC cadets, Police, and Traffic Police are some who benefitted from the program.

During World Trauma Day, BeFirst also organized road shows across Kerala as two major sections dividing Northern and Southern Kerala. A team consisting of doctors and para-medical nurses from the Emergency Department of Aster MIMS and Aster Medcity travelled in two vans to northern districts and southern districts respectively to create awareness on the same.

Dr. Johnson K Varghese, Lead Consultant, Aster Emergency Medicine, Aster Medcity, Kochi, Dr. Venugopalan P P, Director, Aster Emergency Medicine, Aster MIMS, Calicut, Dr. T R John, Director of Medical Affairs, Aster Medcity, Kochi and other staff from Aster hospitals attended the event held in Thrissur.