Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw faced backlash after sharing a video of a travelling ticket examiner (TTE) performing CPR on an elderly passenger in a medical emergency on the Amrapali Express. The video, initially posted by the Railway Ministry, depicted the TTE performing chest compressions on a 70-year-old passenger who was awake but appeared distressed. Vaishnaw had praised the TTE as a “lifesaver” for his actions in the post.
However, the video sparked significant criticism from medical professionals, with several doctors pointing out serious flaws in the procedure. Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, a prominent hepatologist, was among the first to criticize the video, emphasizing that CPR should not be performed on conscious patients. He explained that the chest compressions were “wrong, crude,” and could cause harm, increasing the risk of rib fractures or other injuries. Dr. Sam Ghali, an emergency medicine physician, also criticized the act, stressing that CPR should not be administered to people who are still speaking and alert.
Dr. Nawazish Khan, another expert, echoed these concerns, highlighting that CPR is intended only for unconscious patients who are not breathing or have an ineffective pulse. He further noted that performing CPR on a conscious patient violates medical protocols and could expose the responder to legal liabilities.
In response to the backlash, Ashwini Vaishnaw deleted the video, acknowledging the concerns raised by the medical community. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the importance of following proper medical procedures in emergency situations and the risks associated with well-intentioned but improper first-aid actions.
