Hospital staff using two-wheelers to wear helmets

PUNE: The Jehangir Hospital has advised all staff members using two-wheelers to wear helmets from August 1 as a safety measure.
Hospital marketing manager Sainath Pradhan told TNN on Sunday that the motive was to set an example for others. “It is in the interest of society to wear helmets,� he said. However, Pradhan added that the rule would not be made compulsory.“We will educate the staff and they will decide,� he said.
He pointed out that in case of head injuries, the victim’s financial resources are usually wiped out. This can be avoided if helmets are used. He said that out of the 700-odd staff members in the hospital, nearly 300 drive two-wheelers.
Shivkumar Iyer, in-charge of the intensive care unit (ICU), said the severity of head injuries could be minimised if a person wears a helmet.
“If a person wears a helmet, the extent of injury will be less and internal injury to the brain can be avoided,� he said.
Most of the staff seemed appreciative of the efforts being taken by the hospital. Rahul Thombre of the front-office department said wearing a helmet seemed the best option available. His colleague,Vina Bhise, was convinced of the need to wear one.
“Everyone should be made to follow this example for their own safety,� she said. Mahindra Waghmare, a ward boy at the neuro ICU department, had one objection. “Safety is one thing,� he said, “but helmets also give rise to neck problems.� Apart from this, he had no objection to wearing a helmet.