However, considering the condition of the patient, shifting may also be difficult. Even if we shift, most of these government hospitals and medical colleges may not have the basic trauma care facilities,” he said.

The Triage Guidelines 2021 recommend categorising patients as “red” (immediately life-threatening), “yellow” (urgent, but not immediately life-threatening), or “green” (non-urgent) based on factors like mental status, vital signs, and injury severity, with the most critical patients being prioritised for immediate treatment.

However, according to Dr Sunil, most of the public sector hospitals in the state have not been able to implement the system. “We need to appoint more specialist doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff to ensure better quality care for the patients,” he said.

Dr Sunny added that not just the hospitals under the Directorate of Health Services, several government medical colleges too, do not have trauma care facilities. “Though these general and district hospitals have been upgraded over a period of time, the facilities have not improved. More attention should be given to these hospitals as they serve a larger population,” he emphasised.

Basic needs for a trauma care unit

Specialist doctors in ortho surgery, neurosurgery, and general surgery.

Full-fledged blood bank

Facilities for MRI and CT scans.

Facilities available in general, district hospitals

Emergency OT – 3

Emergency ward – 5

Trauma ward – 1

Triage procedure – 6

Blood bank in proximity to emergency – 4

Mobile X-ray for the emergency room – 4

Laboratory, side lab for emergency services – 3