Project HEART India launches its CPR and AED training program at Bhashyam High School in Guntur, marking a historic moment in community CPR training in India.
In a significant advancement for community CPR training in India, Project HEART India unveiled its training program for high school students at Bhashyam High School in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. This program is the first of its kind in India, focusing on equipping students with skills in high-quality hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
Project HEART India is a collaborative effort between the Srinivasa Heart Foundation, Warangal, Telangana, and the National India Hub, Community and CPR Training Center in Schaumburg, Illinois. It aims to train high school students across India, enhancing survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by increasing bystander CPR intervention.
The project was founded by Dr. Vemuri S. Murthy, an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Murthy serves as the Honorary Advisor to the Srinivasa Heart Foundation, while Dr. Srinivas Ramaka acts as the Project Co-founder, Project Director and Coordinator for India and Telangana State. The program is implemented using regional languages to ensure wide accessibility and understanding.
The launch of Project HEART in Guntur positions Andhra Pradesh as the first state, Guntur as the first city, and Bhashyam High School as the first school in India to implement this lifesaving program. Dr. Kodali Lavanya serves as the Project Coordinator for Andhra Pradesh with Dr. Maheshwar Parvat and Arjun Kodali assisting as advisor and research associate, respectively.
The inaugural event took place on August 1st at the educational campus of Bhashyam High School. The gathering began with a welcoming address by Dr. Kodali Lavanya, followed by a lamp-lighting ceremony attended by several distinguished figures including Sri Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar, MLA of Ponnur Constituency, Dr. S. S. V. Ramana, Superintendent of Guntur General Hospital, and Dr. Vijayalakshmi, District Medical and Health Officer, Guntur. Dr. Bhashyam Rama Krishna, Chairman of Bhashyam Educational Institutions, Dr. Srinivas Ramaka, and Dr. Vemuri S. Murthy, who addressed the audience virtually from the USA, also participated in the event.
During the event, a video in Telugu was screened to demonstrate the hands-only CPR technique and the use of AEDs, further enriching the educational experience. Prominent guests, including Sri Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar and Smt. Galla Madhavi, MLA of Guntur, emphasized the importance of community CPR training in saving lives and recognized the dedication of Team Project HEART India for spearheading this initiative in Andhra Pradesh and Guntur.
Educational pamphlets on community CPR were released in Telugu and English to facilitate wider information dissemination. Approximately 500 students and faculty members were trained in hands-only CPR and AED use, with Dr. Varun and his team leading the training sessions. The program aims to train 3,000 high school students over the next 10 days.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Sri Haribabu, representing Bhashyam High School. Following the success of this launch, Project HEART is set to extend its reach to Warangal, Telangana, and eventually to other states across India.
Dr. Vemuri S. Murthy expressed his heartfelt appreciation from Chicago, USA, underscoring the higher risk South Asians face concerning heart attacks and sudden cardiac death. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of resuscitation experts from India and the U.S., who are committed to offering high-quality, evidence-based training tailored to Indian conditions and resources. The landmark event at Bhashyam High School establishes a benchmark for educational institutions nationwide.