Spreading Mass Awareness in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation over last three years in West Bengal, India

Background: Lack of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Awareness is a big health challenge in India. Among India’s population less than 2% are aware of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). About 4,280 people per one lakh population are getting cardiac arrest per year in this country. Every minute 112 people are succumbing to cardiac arrest. Methods: CPR Mass Awareness Programs are being conducted in different parts of India to spread the knowledge and skills of basic life support among the common people as well as the health care providers. The CPR week is observed every year around 21st July to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr Anand Shandilya, a torch bearer in this journey of IAP CPR Mass Awareness activities in India. Presently, three different CPR Mass Awareness Programs are being organized. IAP CPR Mass Awareness Program for Health care providers (Sanjeevni). Table 1 Hands on training in IAP CPR following e-Sanjeevni, i.e. an e-BLS module (Digital CPR) with online videos and post- test developed during COVID 19 pandemic. Table 2 [1] non-medical persons certificate course in IAP CPR. Table 3 Results: 3633 participants with 1319 Health care providers, 487 MBBS students and 2087 non-medical persons were trained in the skills of basic life support by hands on practice on CPR manikins in different parts of West Bengal following a structured course.