Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has deleted a controversial video showing a travelling ticket examiner (TTE) performing CPR on a 70-year-old passenger aboard the Amrapali Express, after receiving criticism from medical professionals. The video, which went viral after being shared by the Railway Ministry, depicted the TTE administering chest compressions to the elderly man, who appeared distressed but was fully conscious and responding during the procedure.
The incident, which took place on November 23, 2024, raised concerns among doctors, many of whom pointed out that CPR should never be performed on a conscious person. Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, a renowned liver specialist, was one of the first to respond, urging the minister to remove the post. He explained that performing CPR on a conscious person not only risks further harm, including rib fractures and chest trauma, but also impairs the patient’s chances of recovering naturally.
Other experts, including Dr. Sam Ghali, an emergency medicine physician, echoed these concerns, stating that CPR should only be administered to unresponsive individuals who are not breathing or have an ineffective pulse. Dr. Nawazish Khan, another medical professional, added that performing CPR on a conscious patient could result in legal liability for the responder, violating established medical protocols.
चलती ट्रेन में यात्री को आया हार्ट अटैक, टीटीई ने दिया सीपीआर, बच गई जान
— North Eastern Railway (@nerailwaygkp) November 23, 2024
आज ट्रेन सं. 15708 में एक व्यक्ति के अचेत होने की सूचना पर TTE मनमोहन ने बिना देरी किए उस व्यक्ति को *सीपीआर * देना शुरू किया। लगातार प्रयासों के बाद, व्यक्ति ने अपनी आँखें खोली और बेहतर महसूस करने लगा। pic.twitter.com/all14eKc2v
The video initially shared by Vaishnaw had hailed the TTE as a “lifesaver” for his swift response in what appeared to be a medical emergency. The passenger, reportedly feeling unwell during the journey, was later transferred to a hospital in Chhapra, Bihar. However, the medical community quickly questioned the technique, highlighting the risk of inappropriate treatment in the absence of proper medical training.
Vaishnaw’s deletion of the post came after mounting criticism and serves as a reminder of the importance of proper medical protocols in emergencies. CPR is a life-saving technique, but it must be performed correctly and under appropriate circumstances to avoid causing harm.
