Madurai, January 29, 2026: In a landmark public safety initiative, Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre (MMHRC) has trained more than 1,500 police personnel through 20 structured training sessions conducted across multiple locations including Umachikullam, Melur, Thirumangalam, Usilampatti, Samayanallur, and Peraiyur, over a period of 24 weeks.
The programme – one of the first initiatives of its kind in India and the first of its scale in Tamil Nadu – commenced in August 2025 as part of a strategic partnership between the hospital and the Madurai District Police. It aims to strengthen lifesaving capabilities among police personnel through a structured CPR-Basic Life Support training and certification programme. Through hands-on instruction in CPR techniques, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage, and standard emergency response protocols, police officers are empowered to respond decisively and confidently to medical emergencies, even before ambulance services arrive. Over ten categories of police personnel, including District Police Office staff, unit strength personnel, and Armed Reserve units, underwent the training.
Led by Mr. B.K. Arvind, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Madurai District, the initiative aimed at empowering the entire police force to serve as first responders to cardiac and medical emergencies, recognising that police personnel frequently reach emergency scenes before medical services. It significantly strengthens the community’s “Chain of Survival” by ensuring timely and effective intervention during sudden cardiac emergencies.
The strategic vision of Dr. S. Gurushankar, Chairman, MMHRC, whose commitment to community-oriented healthcare and preventive emergency response laid the foundation for this impactful collaboration. It was conceptualised by Dr. Subash Chandran, and executed through the Department of Emergency Medicine, MMHRC, under the leadership of Dr. Narendra Nath Jena, Director & Head – Emergency Medicine. From the administrative and coordination front, the initiative was spearheaded and coordinated by Mr. S. Sivakumar, General Manager, in close collaboration with Mr. Karthikeyan, Sub Inspector of Police, ensuring seamless inter-departmental execution.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) continues to be a major public health concern in India, accounting for nearly 10% of all deaths, with approximately 7 lakh fatalities annually. Alarmingly, the incidence is rising among individuals aged 30-50 years. Survival outcomes are critically dependent on rapid intervention – each minute of delay in CPR reduces survival chances by nearly 10%, while early defibrillation within 3-5 minutes can increase survival rates by up to 75%. This landmark collaboration between Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre and the Madurai District Police has set a national benchmark, demonstrating how proactive leadership, medical expertise, and institutional partnerships can collectively strengthen emergency response systems and save lives at the community level.
