17^th October is celebrated as World Trauma Day to spread awareness on the increasing rate of accidents and injuries causing death and disability across the world and the need to prevent them. According to the National Crime Bureau Record, in 2019 nearly 1.5 lakh people died due to road accidents in India. At 25.3 per 10,000 people, India records the highest number of road accident fatalities in the world.

Accidents are a leading cause of mental, physical, and financial suffering. Research by the World Health Organization has shown that at least 50 percent of such fatalities in developing countries can be prevented with effective intervention.  This requires timely clinical assistance. Unfortunately, we have so far severely ignored this critical area of public healthcare.

There is no formalised trauma system and its components, such as emergency personnel, vehicles, trauma centers, and the healthcare infrastructure is severely lacking. There is virtually no presence of trauma care in most of the rural and semi-rural regions. It is vitally important to invest in trauma care by investing in healthcare infrastructure, skilled professionals, and education of the masses. As a multi-tiered essential health service, there is also a dire need for the promotion of public-private partnerships in this sector.

Dr. Sanjeev Kanoria
Founder, Suasth Hospital.

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