Overview of the Initiative
From October 13 to 17, 2025, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conducted a nationwide CPR Awareness Week to boost public knowledge and skills in Compression-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The campaign aimed to increase awareness of CPR’s life-saving potential and improve bystander intervention rates during cardiac emergencies, which remain below global standards in India.
Objectives of CPR Awareness Week
The initiative focused on several key goals:
- Raising public awareness about CPR as a critical life-saving technique.
- Providing practical CPR training through various stakeholders.
- Encouraging youth participation in community preparedness and volunteerism.
- Leveraging digital platforms for widespread outreach and engagement.
Collaborative Efforts Across India
The campaign was executed through coordinated efforts by multiple stakeholders, including:
- State and Union Territory Health and Medical Education Departments.
- Central Government Ministries such as Home Affairs, Defence, and Railways.
- Central Government Hospitals, AIIMS, and Institutes of National Importance.
- The Indian Red Cross Society and professional bodies via their state chapters.
- Digital platforms like MyGov and MyBharat for outreach and youth engagement.
Key Activities and Achievements
A variety of activities were organized to ensure maximum participation:
- Inaugural Event: Over 14,700 participants attended a live CPR demonstration and pledge event via the ECHO platform and YouTube Live.
- Digital Pledge: 79,870 individuals took a digital pledge on MyGov to support CPR awareness.
- Panel Discussion: A session on “CPR Techniques and the Role of Bystanders” featured experts from AIIMS New Delhi, Dr. RML Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, and SGT Medical College, with 10,129 attendees via ECHO and YouTube Live.
- Training Sessions: Over 6.06 lakh participants received hands-on CPR training across India, including 264 Central Government employees and 70 PMO officials.
- Digital Engagement: A CPR Quiz on MyGov and MyBharat saw 36,040 participants, while 368 youth volunteers promoted awareness through the Volunteer for Bharat initiative.
Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India
Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India
Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India
Digital and Media Outreach
The campaign utilized extensive digital and media strategies:
- An educational CPR video was hosted on the Ministry’s YouTube channel as a standardized resource for States and UTs.
- Expert interviews in English and Hindi were shared via the Ministry’s social media platforms.
- A live CPR demonstration on October 13, attended by the Secretary (Health), was covered by Doordarshan and other news agencies.
- A special DD News feature, “Total Health – Medical Emergency,” aired on October 19, showcasing live CPR demonstrations with AIIMS experts.
Impact of the Campaign
The CPR Awareness Week engaged over 7.47 lakh citizens through diverse activities, with more than 6.06 lakh individuals trained in Compression-only CPR. This initiative marks a significant step toward building a more prepared and responsive community for medical emergencies in India.
Keyword: CPR Awareness
Meta Description: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organized a Pan-India CPR Awareness Week from October 13-17, 2025, training over 6 lakh participants and engaging 7.47 lakh citizens to enhance bystander CPR response.