|
First
LA county accredited paramedic course completed
When
Dr S Balasubramaniam of American Association of Physicians
of Indian Origin (AAPI) was first asked if he was interested
in meeting a person who wanted to start a formal Paramedic
Training Program as it exists in the US, his initial response
was a ‘no.’ He says, "I had previously
tried to initiate a program, at Mumbai, Kolkata and another
University at Pune and had no luck."
But
now he is glad that he relented to meet Dr S B Majumdar,
President and Founder Director of Symbiosis University
during his his trip to India last year. The duo then decided
to set up a Paramedic training program based on the model
of the Los Angeles County Paramedic Program. The first
batch has successfully completed the course this month.
They are now seeking a formal approval and certification
from the LA County’s Paramedic Program.
It
started with Symbiosis University receiving the curriculum,
books and other paraphernalia from Los Angeles. Training
for the first batch of paramedics began in January 2002.
The ten-month course comprised the following: six months
of didactic course followed by four months of hands on
hospital work and ride along with the heart brigade in
Pune. The above was according to the standards existing
in LA.
In
September 2002 Cathy Chidester, Deputy Director, Emergency
Medical Services Agency (EMS), County of Los Angeles,
Department of Health Service (DHS), LA and Jackie Kennedy,
Chief Instructor Paramedic Training Institute, EMS, County
of Los Angeles, DHS and Dr Balasubramaniamcame to inspect
the Paramedic Training Program at Pune and declared that
Symbiosis Paramedic Training Program met all the current
standards that exists in the US. The criteria used for
evaluating was per US department of transportation National
Paramedic Curriculum. "Pune has blazed a trail and
set a standard. Congratulations," says Dr Balasubramaniam.
—Soumya
Viswanathan |
