STF to handle Expressway accidents

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Health Ministry has trained 30 Special Task Force (STF) personnel to be deployed on the new Southern Expressway to handle accidents. The team began training on September 21 and completed it yesterday, a Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman the training was planned by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena on President Mahinda Rajapaksa's direction.

The training took place at the Colombo National Hospital. Accident Ward and based on accident management.

"The officers were trained on how to reach the location fast, how to provide first aid and instant care, how to prevent further injuries to patients with bone fractures while transporting them to hospitals, etc," he said.

The first hour of the accident is called the `Golden Hour' because there is 60 to 70 percent chance to save lives of accident victims during the first hour.

Accident victims are taken to hospital without paying attention to prevent damages to their fractured bones, internal bleeding etc, the spokesman said. Accident Ward Director Dr. Prasad Kariyawasam and nursing officer P.R. Soysa conducted the training.