Director SKIMS calls for community-wide CPR training to strengthen response to cardiac emergencies

Srinagar, Sep 30: On World Heart Day, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) launched ‘CPR 360′, a structured academic and community outreach initiative to strengthen preparedness for cardiac emergencies and equip people with lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills.
A key component of the launch was a hands-on community CPR workshop. Participants came from diverse sections of society, including the Traffic Police, trekking community, schools and gymnasiums. They received practical demonstrations and training in basic CPR and other essential first-response skills for cardiac arrest and life-threatening emergencies, and were presented with certificates of participation on completing the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Director SKIMS & EOSG, Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, stressed that lifesaving skills such as CPR should not remain confined to hospitals and healthcare professionals, but must reach the wider community.
“There is an urgent need to sensitise and train communities at a much larger scale. Timely CPR and an appropriate first response can make a critical difference in saving a life. SKIMS has the expertise, infrastructure and human resources to lead this effort, and CPR 360 should evolve into a sustained, community-oriented programme,” he said.
Prof. Ganie also highlighted the potential of the proposed SKIMS Research Winter/Summer Fellowship Programme to involve students in structured academic learning, research and community outreach, creating a wider network of young health ambassadors who can spread health awareness and lifesaving skills.
On the occasion, Prof. Ganie released the Academic Curriculum and Training Module for the three-year Post-Doctoral Training Programme in Cardiology, developed by the Department of Cardiology. The curriculum provides a structured framework for advanced academic, clinical and procedural training, and reflects SKIMS’ commitment to developing specialised expertise in the management and prevention of cardiovascular emergencies.
Speaking at the launch, Prof. (Dr.) Imran Hafeez, Head of the Department of Cardiology, SKIMS, said, “Every citizen who learns CPR becomes a first responder. With CPR 360, our goal is to make bystander CPR a community reflex, so that no one in Kashmir loses a life for want of a few minutes of timely help.”
SSP Traffic, Ajaz Ahmed Bhat, also participated in the valedictory function and stressed the need for such initiatives in the community.
The event also honoured former Heads of the Department of Cardiology, Prof. Hilal Ahmad Rather and Prof. Aijaz Ahmad Lone, with Lifetime Achievement Awards in recognition of their distinguished contributions to Cardiology and to the development of the specialty at SKIMS.
The organisers acknowledged and felicitated the Departments of Critical Care, Anaesthesia and Pharmacy, and the In-charge of the SKIMS Skill Lab, for their valuable support in the successful conduct of the programme. The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants from the various community groups who underwent CPR training.