New Indian First Aid Manual Inauguration
27th April 2016

On 27th April 2016, the New Indian First Aid Manual IFAM which is prepared jointly by Indian Red Cross Society and the Belgian Red Cross Flanders was inaugurated by H.E Greet Bourgeois, Minister- President of the Government of Flanders, Belgiumat the Trident Hotel, BKC, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The other dignitaries present on the occasion were Ms. Mary Werntz, Head of Regional Delegation ICRC, Prof. Dr. Philippe Vandekerckhove,CEO, Belgian Red Cross, Mr. Jan Luykx, Ambassador of Belgium to India, Dr. Veer Bhushan, Joint Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society NHQ, Mr. Manish Choudhary, Deputy Secretary , Indian Red Cross Society, NHQ and Mr. S.C.Goyal, Vice-Chairman,St. John Ambulance, India, Mr. Hugo Geuvens, Country delegate, Belgium Red Cross and Mr. Suresh Deora, Member, Managing Committee, Indian Red Cross Society, Maharashtra State Branch & Member, Managing Body IRCS, NHQ .

The first aid training was conducted by the Indian Red Cross Society Maharashtra State Branch, Dr. Vikas N. Kurne,First Aid trainer and Disaster Management Coordinator. This was the 1st first aid training based on evidence based first aid manual (IFAM). The participants were students from Bel Air College of Nursing, employees from Mazgaon Dock Ltd., and students from Wilson College, Mumbai.

The IFAM is the first scientific evidence based first aid manual adapted to Indian customs and culture eg., Evidence has proved that ash is equally effective as soap and can be used to wash hands, if soap is not available. Also described in the manual is section on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency care cardiovascular care by International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR).