National Seminar on Road Safety Highlights Crucial Role of Medical Professionals

“Active participation of doctors and citizens can prevent over 1.5 lakh deaths annually” – Padma Shri Dr. B.K.S. Sanjay

Meerut: A one-day national seminar on “Role of Medical Professionals in Road Safety Awareness in India” was held on Friday at Shri Venkateshwara University and Venkateshwara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS), located along the National Highway Bypass. The event was jointly organized by the two institutions and witnessed the participation of prominent doctors, academicians, and students from across the region.

The keynote address was delivered by Padma Shri awardee Dr. B.K.S. Sanjay, a globally renowned orthopedic and spine surgeon, President of AIIMS Guwahati, and recipient of more than a hundred national and international awards including Guinness and Limca Book records. Dr. Sanjay emphasized that India records over 1.5 lakh road fatalities every year, most of which could be prevented with awareness, strict adherence to traffic rules, and timely medical intervention.

“The first one hour after an accident — known as the golden hour — is the most crucial for saving a patient’s life. This is where medical professionals play a vital role, by providing immediate primary treatment, ensuring swift transportation to higher medical centers, and delivering advanced care without delay,” Dr. Sanjay said.

Shri Sudhir Giri, Founder Chairman of the Venkateshwara Group, underlined that road safety is not the responsibility of the government alone but a shared duty of every citizen. He appealed to the youth to adopt safe practices such as wearing helmets on two-wheelers, fastening seat belts in cars, avoiding drunk driving, maintaining safe distance on roads, and refraining from using mobile phones while driving. “Following these simple rules can save more than 4 lakh lives annually in India alone,” he added.

Reinforcing this message, Dr. Rajeev Tyagi, Pro-Chancellor of Shri Venkateshwara University, urged responsible behavior among citizens. “Traffic discipline and awareness must become a way of life. Road safety is not optional — it is essential for saving lives,” he said. Dr. Tyagi, along with Dean of Medical Sciences Dr. Sanjeev H. Bhatt, felicitated Dr. Sanjay with a traditional stole, turban, and memento as a mark of honor.

The seminar was also graced by Medical Superintendent Dr. Suresh Mehta, Dr. Supreeti Bhatnagar, Dr. B.S. Tyagi, Dr. Saachi Ahlawat, Dr. Deepali Gupta, Dr. Sachin Tutu, Dr. Altaf, Dr. Ruchi Maan, Dr. Hariom Sharma, Dr. Sonia Rawat, and Dr. Pratap Singh from the Meerut campus. Media Coordinator Vishwas Rana was also present.

The program was smoothly conducted by Dr. Supreeti Bhatnagar, Associate Professor of Anatomy, whose moderation ensured active participation from medical students and professionals.

The seminar concluded with a unanimous call to action — that road safety is a shared social responsibility, where the collective efforts of government, medical professionals, and ordinary citizens can make India’s roads safer and significantly reduce fatalities.