CHANDIGARH,October 24, 2026-The Centre of Excellence (Trauma & Burns), PGIMER, Chandigarh, conducted an Immediate Trauma Life Support and Burn Management (ITLS & BM) training course for 57 doctors from Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh on October 24, 2026. The course was conducted under the National Programme for Prevention and Management of Trauma and Burn Injuries (NPPMTBI) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

The programme aimed to reduce preventable deaths and complications arising from trauma and burn injuries by strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals, standardising care protocols and improving the delivery of care within hospitals. The course was led by Dr. Atul Parashar, Course Director, Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery, PGI, Chandigarh, and Nodal Officer of the Centre of Excellence (Trauma & Burns), PGIMER. Dr. Nidhi Bhatia from the Department of Anesthesia was Course Co-director, while Dr. Ankit Dadra served as Course Coordinator. The training focused on a systematic approach to the initial assessment and management of trauma and burn patients.

Dr. Atul Parashar said that, according to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) data, in 2025 more than five lakh people were involved in serious road accidents and 1.87 lakh people lost their lives—an average of 512 deaths every day, or 21 every hour. He also highlighted that close to one lakh people suffered burn injuries requiring hospital admission, with mortality exceeding 30 per cent.

The Immediate Trauma Life Support and Burn Management course covered triage, disaster preparedness, traumatic brain injuries, musculoskeletal trauma and burn management. Knowledge sessions were complemented by hands-on training in essential emergency procedures, including airway management, intercostal drain insertion, intraosseous access and haemorrhage control. Through focused lectures, interactive learning and practical skill stations, the programme sought to strengthen participants’ clinical competence and preparedness to manage trauma and burn emergencies effectively, with the broader aim of reducing preventable morbidity and mortality.

The programme reaffirmed the commitment of PGIMER’s Centre of Excellence (Trauma & Burns) to supporting national efforts to improve trauma and burn care through capacity-building and training of healthcare professionals.