Lucknow – In a major step towards enhancing road safety and emergency response, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government will provide CPR and first aid training to over 1,200 Rapido bike taxi captains on the occasion of World Emergency Medicine Day today. The training will be conducted at Medanta Hospital on Shaheed Path, Lucknow, and will feature the participation of doctors and emergency care specialists from 16 Indian states.
The initiative is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to good governance and public safety. By equipping daily road users with life-saving skills, the administration aims to create a network of first responders capable of acting swiftly during emergencies.
A Nationwide CPR Campaign with Rapido
The campaign is being organised by the Society of Acute Care, Trauma and Emergency Medicine (SACTEM) in collaboration with mobility platform Rapido. According to Dr. Lokendra Gupta, founder of SACTEM, this is more than just a training session—it’s a nationwide mission to make every citizen a potential saviour.
“Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, this initiative is a direct response to the alarming rate of road accident fatalities in the country. Our aim is to empower those who are already on the streets every day—Rapido captains—to act as first responders, potentially saving thousands of lives,” Dr. Gupta said.
One Mission, One Day, One Nation
The training drive is being held under the theme “One Mission, One Day, One Nation”, with the belief that those already present on the roads, such as bike taxi riders, can play a crucial role in saving lives in the golden hour after an accident. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways reports that over 1.5 lakh people die annually in road accidents in India, with many deaths occurring due to lack of immediate first aid.
Training Modules to Be Covered
The one-day CPR and first aid session will cover:
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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques
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Bleeding control methods
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Use of a basic first aid kit
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Emergency contact numbers and response processes
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Traffic safety protocols
The goal is to make Rapido captains “mobile safety units” capable of providing assistance during emergencies until professional medical help arrives.
Why CPR Matters
CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, is a critical life-saving technique administered when a person’s heart stops beating or breathing halts. If given within the first 3 to 5 minutes, it can significantly increase the chances of survival by keeping oxygen flowing to the brain.
Broader Impact
This is not the first time the Yogi government has championed CPR awareness—it has previously introduced similar training sessions in schools and police training programs. By scaling this effort through platforms like Rapido, the administration is taking a grassroots approach to emergency preparedness, aiming to reduce fatalities and improve overall public health infrastructure.
This initiative marks a significant step toward building a self-reliant and responsive citizenry, reinforcing the vision of “Every Citizen a Lifesaver.”
