Maharashtra Public Health Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Save Life Foundation (SLF), an NGO working with an aim of improving road safety emergency care across India, to make the Mumbai-Pune Expressway safer for motorists and reduce the number of accidents.
According to the government resolution issued on August 14, the SLF shall undertake research and studies to recommend measures to strengthen emergency medical care for victims of road crashes that take place on the expressway. The Health Department and SLF will jointly monitor the progress of the project.
As per the MoU, the Health Department and SLF shall work together to improve trauma care systems. The SLF, subject to availability of funds, shall even support the Health Department by funding certain interventions in trauma care.
“Health Department and SLF have agreed to jointly undertake research studies based on data and records available with the department in order to develop evidence-based interventions to reduce fatalities and injuries on the Expressway,” said an official from the Public Health Department.
The Health Department shall facilitate SLF’s co-ordination with 108 ambulance services, government hospitals in and around the Expressway, and any other agency or service under its jurisdiction to obtain any data or statistic that may be relevant to the project.
According to reports, in 2017, a total of 89 accidents took place, killing 105 people. In 2016, as many as 97 accidents led to deaths of 151 individuals.