The much-awaited first full-fledged Trauma center in India, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Center (JPNATC), which was conceived 22 years before, in 1984, is now ready for treating patients of road accidents.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences - JPNATC is spread over 20,600 sq meters, seven-storey hospital with 200 beds, including 16 ICU beds and 2 casualty OTs. While the hospital starts its dry run on Monday by shifting 55 "not so critical patients" from AIIMS to JPNATC, it is said that the fresh admissions will start only from mid-December and the center will operate fully from March 2007. The hospital has currently recruited around 957 fresh staffs including doctors, nurses and other technical staff and 6 months orientation training will be provided for the staffs.

For India, where accident death occurs every two minutes, this trauma center will be definitely a boon. A health ministry official said that India accounts for 10% of road accident and a proper trauma care is most crucial when every minute impacts the patient's chances of survival.

Dr Shakti Gupta, expert in hospital administration from AIIMS, said: "At least 40% deaths occur on the roadside due to delay in treatment. Earlier, the casualty ward handled trauma cases. Now, a separate hospital dedicated to it would definitely enhance treatment. The center will network among the hospitals of MCD, NDMC, Railways, armed forces and Delhi government."