Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 1: Pratham Chikitsa Foundation, a charitable organisation committed to saving lives, reducing human suffering and strengthening community health and emergency preparedness, will be formally inaugurated on October 2 in Mangaluru.
The foundation has been established with a clear purpose: to build safer, healthier and more compassionate communities by making first aid knowledge, emergency preparedness, healthcare awareness and humanitarian support more accessible.
The foundation recognises that in many emergencies, the period between the occurrence of an incident and the arrival of professional medical assistance can be critical. Pratham Chikitsa Foundation therefore seeks to empower ordinary citizens, students, teachers, employees, volunteers and communities with the knowledge and skills required to respond appropriately during emergencies.
Building a culture
At the heart of Pratham Chikitsa Foundation's work will be the promotion of first aid, basic life support (BLS), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), trauma care, emergency preparedness and disaster response.
The foundation will undertake awareness programmes, training sessions, workshops and community initiatives to make these life-saving skills more accessible to the public, educational institutions, workplaces and communities.
The foundation also proposes to work with schools, colleges and other educational institutions to establish first aid clubs, emergency response teams and student volunteer initiatives, helping young people develop practical life-saving and humanitarian skills.
A holistic approach to community health
Pratham Chikitsa Foundation's work will extend beyond emergency response.
The foundation will undertake health education and public awareness initiatives covering health, hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, disease prevention, mental health, emergency preparedness, road safety and public health.
It will also seek to support community healthcare initiatives including preventive healthcare, maternal and child welfare, geriatric care, adolescent health, disability support and rehabilitation for vulnerable sections of society.
Responding when communities need help
The foundation's objectives include supporting medical relief, health camps, first aid centres, mobile healthcare initiatives and emergency response services, particularly for people and communities that may have limited access to healthcare facilities.
During natural disasters, accidents, epidemics, pandemics and other emergencies, the Foundation may support relief efforts through medical assistance, medicines, food, first aid, medical equipment, temporary shelter, rescue assistance and rehabilitation support, subject to applicable requirements and available resources.
Promoting voluntary donation
Another important area of the foundation's work will be creating awareness around voluntary blood, plasma, organ and stem-cell donation.
Through awareness programmes, donor registration initiatives and blood donation camps, the Foundation aims to encourage responsible voluntary participation and strengthen the culture of donation in the community.
Empowering volunteers
Pratham Chikitsa Foundation believes that sustainable community impact requires active participation from citizens.
The foundation will therefore focus on recruiting, training, motivating and recognising volunteers and youth leaders for humanitarian service, emergency response, health promotion and community development.
Training and capacity-building programmes may include first aid, CPR, emergency preparedness and disaster management for volunteers, teachers, students, healthcare workers, police and fire personnel, corporate employees and members of the public.
Serving vulnerable communities
A key commitment of the Foundation is to extend healthcare assistance and humanitarian support to people who may be particularly vulnerable, including economically weaker sections, senior citizens, children, women, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, accident victims and other marginalised communities.
The Foundation will operate on the principles of humanity, compassion, neutrality, impartiality, integrity, voluntary service, inclusiveness, transparency, accountability and non-discrimination.
Collaboration for greater community impact
Pratham Chikitsa Foundation intends to collaborate with hospitals, healthcare professionals, educational institutions, government and local authorities, universities, NGOs, charitable organisations, corporate bodies and other institutions to advance its objectives.
The Foundation will also encourage research, innovation and the development of educational resources and technologies related to first aid, emergency medicine and public health.
A commitment to humanity
Pratham Chikitsa Foundation believes that healthcare and humanitarian service are not limited to treatment alone. They also involve preparedness, prevention, awareness, compassion and the willingness to respond when someone needs help.
The foundation's vision is to build a safer, healthier and more compassionate society where every individual is empowered with access to timely first aid, emergency preparedness, healthcare awareness and humanitarian support.
Its mission is to save lives and reduce human suffering by empowering communities with first-aid and emergency-response skills, advancing preventive healthcare, facilitating medical and humanitarian relief, promoting voluntary donation awareness and supporting vulnerable communities through compassionate and accountable service.
With its inauguration on October 2, Pratham Chikitsa Foundation begins its journey with a commitment to build stronger, better-prepared and more compassionate communities.
Pratham Chikitsa Foundation
Institutions, members of the public and corporates who are willing to join and contribute to the welfare of society and support a good cause are warmly welcome to be part of this initiative. The Foundation may be contacted for further information.