Dr.Venugopalan.PP: Medical graduate of Govt. Medical College Calicut. Postgraduation Anaesthesiology and Emergency Medicine.Chair &; Lead Consultant in EM at Meitra Hospital, Professor EM at MMC, Regional Faculty AHA, Formerly Expert Committee member KRSA , Director Aster MIMS &Deputy Director MIMS Academy, Founder and Executive Director Angels International Foundation and Trust.Master Trainer in World Guinness CPR Training.Spouse Dr.Supriya; Blessed with Dr.Neethu and Dr.Kamal
This reflection note summarizes my experience as a guest attendee/faculty member at the ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) Course held at the Aster Simulation Center in Kozhikode, conducted under the auspices of ATLS India.
Course Experience and Structure
It was a pleasure to attend this ATLS course, resuming my association as faculty, a role I have held since 2009. The course continues to be a well-conducted, well-structured, and focused educational experience. It consistently provides an excellent opportunity for interaction for both students and faculty.
The two-and-a-half-day format is highly effective, ensuring that students receive ample opportunity to learn the essential principles of managing a polytrauma case, even in limited resource settings.
Faculty and Leadership
The course was expertly directed by Dr. Radesh Numbair in Kozhikode. He was supported by a highly capable team of faculty members, including Drs. Jinesh, Johnson, Nirmal Peter, and Kirishbakumar. Their combined expertise ensured a high-quality learning environment.
Nostalgia and Center Legacy
Attending this course was a deeply nostalgic experience. The Aster Simulation Center in Kozhikode is a facility that I had the privilege of establishing, and it stands as my last project with Aster before my departure. Seeing the center actively hosting such a critical course was immensely gratifying.
Delegate Participation
The course delegates were outstanding. Their participation, interactions, and performance were excellent, demonstrating a strong commitment to learning the vital skills necessary for trauma care.
This ATLS course at the Aster Simulation Center successfully upheld the high standards of the program, reflecting strong leadership and dedicated faculty, all while training a highly motivated cohort of future trauma care providers.
Organizers: Indian College of Emergency Medicine (ICEM) and Meenakshi Mission Hospital
1. Event Overview
The World Resuscitation Congress (WRC) 2025 was held successfully on December 6th and 7th in Madurai, preceded by a comprehensive series of pre-congress workshops on December 4th and 5th. Organized jointly by the Indian College of Emergency Medicine and Meenakshi Mission Hospital, the event served as a global convergence point for Emergency Medicine (EM) professionals.
The congress attracted significant global participation, with faculty and delegates arriving from various countries and prestigious national institutes, including strong representation from various AIIMS campuses.
2. Leadership and Organization
The success of this congress is a direct reflection of the commitment and tireless efforts of Dr. Narendra Jena. Truly the "live wire" of the event, Dr. Jena’s magnanimity and deep connection with both the medical fraternity and the government were evident throughout. As one of the most respected figures in Tamil Nadu, his ability to spread awareness regarding Emergency Medicine in Madurai is commendable.
Key organizational highlights included:
* Inauguration: The event was inaugurated by the Honorable IT Minister of Tamil Nadu in a function that was crisp, impactful, and well-received.
* Scientific Leadership: Dr. Yunus from AIIMS served as the Chair of the Scientific Session, ensuring high academic standards. The scientific sessions were split into two streams, meticulously coordinated by Dr. Nancy.
* Event Management: Mr. Rajalingam expertly managed the logistics, ensuring a hassle-free experience for delegates despite the complexity of the event.
3. Academic and Clinical Highlights
The congress provided a rich academic feast, highlighted by:
* Workshops: Intensive pre-congress workshops on Airway and Ventilation, POCUS,Emergency skills , ACLS updates ,Pediatric EM and many more
* Convocation: A significant milestone was the convocation ceremony for fellowship students in Neuro Emergency and Clinical Toxicology, marking the next generation of specialists in these critical fields.
4. Personal Contributions and Acknowledgments
I leave Madurai with a heart full of happiness and gratitude for the opportunities entrusted to me by Dr. Jena and the committee. My personal milestones during the WRC included:
* Leadership Roles: Serving as the Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Director for the Airway and Ventilation workshops.
* Speaking Engagements: I had the privilege of being the Opening Speaker in the main hall, delivering a talk on “Emergency Vehicle Involved Accidents and Consequences,” which was well-appreciated by the audience.
* Ceremonial Duties: Facilitating the workshop inauguration session and the Convocation ceremony.
Awards and Recognition:
The highlight of my professional participation was being honored by the Indian College of Emergency Medicine with the prestigious Presidential Special Appreciation Award during the banquet. I am deeply humbled by this recognition.
5. Resilience in the Face of Challenges
The event was not without external challenges. The ongoing air travel disaster involving Indigo services resulted in many speakers and delegates being clogged up in various airports. However, the resilience of the organizing team shone through; they managed the schedule and logistics remarkably well, ensuring the congress proceeded smoothly despite these disruptions.
6. Hospitality
The hospitality provided by Dr. Jena and his team was unforgettable. The faculty dinners were memorable, and the colorful banquet served as a perfect social highlight, fostering camaraderie among the delegates.
Conclusion
The WRC 2025 was a triumph of organization, academic depth, and hospitality. It stands as a testament to Dr. Narendra Jena’s hard work and vision. I wish Dr. Jena continued happiness and health in his personal and professional life, and I pray he continues his invaluable service to the nation.
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible one-and-a-half days we spent together at the Park Inn for the AHA 2025 Guidelines Rollout on Dec 2nd and 3rd.
The event was truly outstanding—from the amazing hospitality to the well-contented scientific sessions and the thought-provoking discussions that followed. But beyond the academics, it was the "extra-curricular" moments that carved this meeting into my heart forever.
The pre-meet faculty gathering in Srimon’s room set the tone, followed by an unforgettable Day 1 "Funky Music Night"—transitioning from the soulful melodies of Rafi Sahib to ground-breaking fast rhythms, accompanied by great food and beverages.
A special mention to the homely evening party at Sachin’s home on the last day. Meeting Sachin’s father was a touching highlight that added such a sweet, personal layer to the trip.
A massive thank you to Marida, Sachin, Biswas, Srimon, Anoop, and our “shy” movie producer for making this happen.
I am leaving Trichur not just with a bag full of special keepsakes (the AHA pin, pen, diary, and even that lovely carry bag!), but with a heart full of memories and a mind full of new thoughts.
Thank you all for making this RF meeting outstanding.
IMACON 2025, the Kerala State IMA Conference, held at the Malabar Marina Convention Centre, Calicut, on November 8th and 9th, 2025, was a truly memorable and well-organized event.
With more than 3,500 delegates from across Kerala, the conference radiated excellence in every aspect — from its elegant venue and flawless audiovisual arrangements to the spectacular food, smooth transport facilities, and a breathtaking banquet on the banks of the serene Chaliyar River.
The event also showcased a beautifully arranged trade fair, with creative engagements for spouses and children, including live caricature sessions and art corners.
Scientific deliberations were held across three halls, marked by remarkable coordination, quality content, and disciplined conduct. The conference kit and the official functions stood out for their attention to detail and grace — a true reflection of the dedication of the organizing team led by Dr. V. G. Pradeep Kumar, Dr. Aneen Kutty, Dr. Venugopalan B, Dr. Sankar Mahadevan, Dr. Sandhya Kurup, Dr. Roy R. Chandran, and many others whose tireless work made IMACON 2025 a grand success.
From the Preview at the IMA Hall
The Memorial Service – A Tribute of Love and Devotion
Opening remarks
I had the honor of serving as the Chairman of the Memorial Service Committee, entrusted with curating and presenting the most prestigious segment of the IMA State Conference — the Memorial Service.
It was not just a task; it was an act of devotion, an offering of gratitude to our departed colleagues — 110 doctors who left us in the past year.
Each name carried a story, a legacy, and a lifetime of service. The process of collecting, compiling, scripting, dubbing, and editing their biographies into a single emotional narrative was indeed a herculean effort, but one that I pursued with utmost passion, reverence, and care.
Scribbled scripts
This emotionally charged project was supported by a dedicated team — Dr. Baby Supriya, Mr. Mithun Sasi, Dr. T. P. Naser, Dr. Dhanya P. G., Dr. Madhavan Nambiar, Dr. K. V. Raju, Dr. Jithin, Dr. Sheeba, and several others who ensured that every detail was handled with accuracy and respect.
Ms. Nishwa helped me relentlessly in data collection from multiple IMA branches across Kerala.
The dubbing was gracefully done by Mr. Bobby C. Mathew (Senior Artist, All India Radio) and Mrs. Nisha M. Nambiar, whose sincere and heartfelt voices gave life to the script.
Amidst his hectic schedule, Dr. V. G. Pradeep Kumar also recorded a deeply moving introduction for the program, titled “Saphalamee Yathra” — a name that beautifully captured the spirit of fulfillment and service.
The team at UNITY Studio, Calicut, led by Mr. Biju, worked day and night for an entire week, completing the post-production and editing process with remarkable dedication. We conducted two preview sessions to ensure perfection before the final presentation.
Special thanks also to Dr. Mithun Sasi for coordinating the video shoots from Beach Hospital, adding a genuine and personal touch to the film.
A Journey Through Emotion and Realization
What began as a formal task soon transformed into a profound realization — the contributions of our predecessors are immense and immeasurable.
As I delved deeper, it became evident that many of our departed colleagues were from the Kerala Government Health Services, and a significant number had passed away prematurely.
This revelation added even more weight to the responsibility I carried.
Beloved Cheriyamma
On a personal note, this period tested my emotional resilience in unimaginable ways.
My beloved Cheriyamma, who was more than a mother to me, passed away just a day before the memorial program.
I arrived at the venue after completing her funeral — even before the flames in the furnace had subsided.
She had once saved my life when I nearly drowned during my MBBS days and cared for me tenderly throughout my childhood.
As fate would have it, the closing visuals of the memorial video — scenes of farewell and remembrance — mirrored the very emotions I was living through.
The presentation that evening was not just a tribute; it was a deeply personal act of love and grief.
This photo was taken during this onam when we visited her
The sorrow intensified as I honored the memories of my great mentors and teachers —
Dr. P. C. Esaw, Dr. K. C. Rajagopal, Dr. Badran, and Dr. George Itty —
and most painfully, my dear friend and classmate, Dr. Krishnakumar P.
Each name spoken was a heartbeat remembered, and each frame edited carried a prayer.
Obituary note on Krishnakumar P
The Imperfect But Honest End
Despite my repeated verifications and endless nights of cross-checking, I later discovered that one doctor from the IMA Punoor branch had been inadvertently omitted from the final compilation.
It remains a mystery how it escaped, though the data was personally handed over in writing.
To this day, I have no explanation — only deep regret and heartfelt apologies for that unintentional omission.
Closing Thoughts
The IMACON 2025 Memorial Service was not just a segment of a conference —
it was a spiritual journey through memory, gratitude, and loss.
It taught me that remembrance is not just about mourning the departed,
but about celebrating lives that continue to inspire us long after they’re gone.
It was my honor to lead this tribute —
and though the days were heavy with emotion,
the experience reaffirmed my belief that compassion and memory are the truest forms of healing.
To set up a Trauma Code in an Indian multispeciality hospital, guidelines draw on national standards from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), as well as international protocols such as ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support). The following components should be included:
Infrastructure and Facilities
The hospital must designate a Trauma Resuscitation Area (Red Zone) and Treatment Areas (Yellow Zone) compliant with the Government of India’s operational guidelines for trauma centers.
The resuscitation bay should be equipped for airway control, ventilation support, circulation monitoring, IV access, and rapid transfusion.
Facilities for radiological imaging, surgical procedures, and ICU-level care must be accessible within minutes of activation.
Trauma Team Activation (Trauma Code)
Develop a tiered response system (e.g., Level 1 for major trauma, Level 2 for moderate injury) similar to international trauma activation models.
Activation criteria include:
Systolic BP ≤ 90 mmHg
Respiratory rate <10 or >29/min
Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 10
Major penetrating injury (neck, chest, abdomen)
Limb amputation above elbow or knee
Multisystem trauma or physician discretion.
Trauma Team Composition
A typical Level 1 Trauma Code activation team should include:
ED physician (preferably ATLS certified)
General surgeon
Orthopedic surgeon
Anesthetist
Two emergency nurses
Radiologist and technician
Laboratory technician
Respiratory therapist
Security and social services for crowd/support management.
Document pre-alert information—mechanism of injury, time of incident, treatments given, GCS score, estimated time of arrival.
Ensure handover documentation and imaging follow the patient through departments.
Training and Quality Assurance
All trauma team members must be trained in ATLS, NTMC, or EMTC.
Conduct mock drills and review of trauma activations to improve response times and outcomes.
Regular audits on activation times, mortality rates, and compliance with SOPs form part of quality improvement programs.
Integration with National and Local Systems
The hospital’s trauma code should align with the National Trauma Care Programme and Hospital Safety Guidelines under NDMA to ensure disaster preparedness and surge capacity.
Establish communication protocols with local ambulance services following AIS-125 National Ambulance Code categories.
In essence, a trauma code system in India requires structured activation criteria, a multidisciplinary team, defined infrastructure, and adherence to national and ATLS-aligned protocols for effective emergency trauma management.
Building a Safer Community through Emergency Medical Training
At Vadakara, an inspiring initiative took shape today as Meitra Hospital Emergency Department, Malayala Manorama Vanitha magazine, and Angels International Foundation collaborated to conduct a comprehensive seminar-cum-workshop on emergency medical care.
A Vision with Purpose
The program was inaugurated by Mr. P. P. Rajan, Executive Director of Angels, who emphasized the importance of community empowerment in medical emergencies. His words set the tone for a day filled with practical learning, meaningful interaction, and life-saving skill development.
Life-Saving Skills in Focus
The workshop focused on equipping participants with essential skills required to respond effectively in critical situations:
Sudden collapse management with hands-only CPR
Airway obstruction in adults and children
Trauma care techniques such as safe transport, log roll, and helmet removal
Emergency recognition and response in stroke (brain attack) and heart attack
First aid measures for drowning, burns, electrocution, snake bites, dog bites, and other household emergencies
A Community That Cares
With 200+ registered participants, the event witnessed overwhelming community participation. The sessions were interactive and dynamic, filled with insightful discussions and practical demonstrations.
I had the privilege to lead the workshop in my capacity as Chair & Senior Consultant, Emergency Medicine, Meitra Hospital, supported by an outstanding team of doctors:
Dr. Mohamed A
Dr. Yumina Perikutty
Dr. Lavina
Dr. Irene
Dr. Sharif
Dr. Kavya
The ANGELS volunteers played a vital role in facilitating the hands-on training at each workstation, ensuring every participant had an opportunity to practice the skills taught.
Recognizing Efforts and Inspiring Change
To encourage active engagement, Vanitha magazine presented awards to the best participants, making the experience both rewarding and memorable.
The Road Ahead
This initiative is not just a one-time workshop but part of a structured three-year training program aimed at building community resilience in medical emergencies. Our collective mission is clear: empower every individual with the knowledge and confidence to save lives when every second counts.
