Fortis Trains Auto Drivers in CPR Ahead of World Heart Day
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About 200 auto drivers have been trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, ahead of World Heart Day. The hospital said the aim is to turn drivers into first responders during medical emergencies on the city’s streets.
The training was led by Dr Shashwath Hegde, Emergency Medicine Specialist, who gave practical demonstrations of CPR and explained how to recognize early signs of cardiac arrest. Drivers were taught how to step in until doctors or ambulances arrive.
“Cardiac arrest can strike anywhere—on the road, at home, in a market. Immediate action makes all the difference,” said Dr Vivek Jawali, Chairman, Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Hospitals. “Auto drivers are often the ones nearby when someone collapses. If they know CPR, they can save lives.”
The initiative also reflected this year’s World Heart Day theme, Don’t Miss a Beat. Senior doctors including Dr Rajpal, Dr Srinivas Prasad, Dr Sudarshan GT, and Dr Shivanand Patil joined the event.
Dr Thejaswini Parthasarathy, Facility Director, said healthcare should not remain inside hospitals. “By training auto drivers, we are taking it to the community,” she said. “This is about creating everyday heroes who act when every second matters.”
Many drivers said the training gave them confidence. For the city, it means more people ready to respond to cardiac emergencies on the road.
