Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI), Secunderabad

For aspirants wanting to make a career as a paramedic, Emergency Management and Research Institute

(EMRI), Secunderabad, could be the end of the search. For, not many institutes in India offer such an offbeat course as a part of their curriculum.

A brainchild of B. Ramalinga Raju, founder chairman, Satyam Computers, Emergency Medicine Learning Center (EMLC), a wing of the EMRI, was founded in 2005. “We knew that good pre-hospital care can reduce almost 30 per cent of the mortality rate and 80 per cent of the morbidity in trauma patients. So, when around 7,08,79,778 medical emergencies were reported in India in 2005, we decided to set up EMLC,” says Ramana Rao, lead partner, Emergency Medicine Learning Center (EMLC), EMRI.

Remarkably, within only two years of its inception, the institute has carved a niche for itself. Set in the sylvan surroundings of Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, EMLC is part of the not-for-profit organisation EMRI, known for its pioneering efforts in the area of emergency services in public-private partnership mode. In fact, with state-of-the-art infrastructure, best of people and technology, it happens to the only organised, professional emergency service provider in the country.

Since its inception, this institute has launched 108 (dial-in) emergency services across the state of Andhra Pradesh with 502 ambulances and over 2,500 professionals. Now, EMRI plans to extend its dial-in emergency services across India by 2010 in the public-private partnership mode. Apart from handling day-to-day emergencies (medical, police and fire), EMRI has made progress in emergency research and training and also offers a two-year full time residential postgraduate programme in emergency care (EMT-A). This programme is the first of its kind in India, offering quality education and comprehensive training in the field of emergency care services.

“At present EMRI has initiated the six sigma programme for improvement and is working towards the ISO 9001:2000 for process standardisation,” says Venkat Changavalli, CEO, EMRI.

Also, EMRI has partnered with Stanford School of Medicine, USA. Stanford not only provides EMRI with assistance, guidance and the necessary teaching faculty but also imparts hands-on training to individuals who seek certification as advanced emergency medical technicians, instructors and programmers.

A variety of instructional strategies and technologies will be used to teach students about emergency medical services operations, personal and scene safety, scene and patient assessment, and patient care. “The programme has been designed to ensure that students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. It includes content that provides the basis for the knowledge and skill development pertaining to out-of-hospital emergency care,” says Rao.

Apart from emergency management, special attention is paid to communication skills of students. “Individualised training and classroom study is offered to develop the necessary soft skills. We are also provided the required IT training,” says Umakanth Ramaiah, a final year student of EMRI.

Guest lecturers are a regular feature of the programme. “Academicians, managers, achievers, leaders and experts are often invited to speak on emergency management and beyond,” confirms Subhash Babu Talluri.

As far as residential arrangements are concerned, students are put up in an apartment with a matron. It takes a 30-minute drive to reach the institute, which is arranged by the institute itself. “Very soon our hostel will be ready,” confirms Changavalli.

The way things are moving it seems that many of India’s future paramedics will be graduating from EMRI.

Vital Statistics

WHAT IS IT? An emergency management research institute.

WHO’S THE BOSS? Dr Ramana Rao is the lead partner, Emergency Medicine Learning Center, EMRI.

WHAT about jobs? The institute assures 100 per cent placement to its students. Since the paramedical profession is a relatively new career option in India, the institute plans to absorb nearly all its students at EMRI as per their performance.

WHere to stay? Accommodation is arranged for students. A hostel will soon be coming up within the campus.

WHere is it located? Devar Yamzal, Medchal Road, Secunderabad-500014. Phone: 040-23462600, 23462222. Fax: 04023462178 Website: www.emri.in/edu

SHABINA AKHTAR