Nagpur: AIIMS Nagpur showed exemplary coordination, and medical emergency handling capabilities in responding to the tragic school bus accident which brought 49 patients — 46 students, two volunteers, and one teacher — to the hospital on Tuesday. This was the first emergency involving multiple trauma cases of this scale at the institute since the establishment of AIIMS Nagpur. The institution rose to the challenge with precision and compassion.
AIIMS Nagpur dean and executive director, Dr PP Joshi, commended the collective efforts of the Emergency Medicine, Trauma Surgery, Orthopaedics, and Paediatrics teams, as well as nursing officers and administrative staff, in ensuring comprehensive, high-quality care. "Our teams worked tirelessly to stabilise and evaluate the patients. AIIMS Nagpur is prepared for such challenges, and we are committed to serving the people with the best possible medical care," said Dr Joshi.
Security staff played a pivotal role in ensuring a calm and organised environment. A comprehensive list of injured students was drafted, and a seating arrangement was made for parents outside the Emergency Department. The guards systematically called out the names of students, allowing parents to meet their wards one at a time.
This well-managed system prevented any rush, confusion, or aggression, creating a supportive atmosphere for anxious parents. Teachers who accompanied the children praised the hospital for providing food, medicines, and psychological support. The Paediatric Department ensured students were kept under observation till 4pm to confirm their recovery before discharge.
AIIMS conducted a total of 24 CT scans and X-rays for all patients to ensure precise diagnosis and effective treatment. "We conducted X-rays for all students to be doubly sure that there are no undetected fractures or musculoskeletal issues that could trouble them in the future," said Dr Joshi.
"The facilities here are excellent, and the staff was very reassuring during this distressing time," said one parent, adding that the hospital's systematic communication helped reduce panic.
The tragedy tested AIIMS Nagpur's capacity to handle a sudden influx of trauma patients, and the hospital demonstrated its crisis management readiness.