KTC operates around 37 night services, 140 drivers operate these buses
Manipal Hospitals Goa Centre for Sleep and Breathing Department in partnership with Kadarnba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTC) unveiled the "Sleep Well, Drive Safe" campaign for KTC drivers at Vasco this Friday morning. The campaign will also be extended to other major cities in the State. The awareness drive was inaugurated by Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida in the presence of KTC MD Netto Pereira, KTC GM Sanjay Ghate, Manish Trivedi (Unit Head Manipal Hospitals Goa), Dr Shekhar Salkar (HoD Oncology Department), Dr Prabhu Prasad (consultant pulmonologist) and other officials of KTC. Unveiling the campaign, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida said he was delighted to lend his support to the cause. "While good sleep will enhance efficiency and productivity of bus drivers, It will also be a boon to passengers and road safety. My good wishes to Manipal Hospital, Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTC) and Phillips Respironics for their endeavour," said Almeida. Dr Shekar Salkar said drowsy driving is a wide spread issue among motorists. 'KTC operates around 37 night services and around 140 drivers operate these buses. It is, therefore, utmost need to have a Sleep Apnea test and KTC along with Manipal Hospitals conducted the campaign."
"Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common medical disorder that affects driving during the daytime. OSA can greatly disturb sleep and even if individuals have slept for 8 hours, they wit not feel rested and are more likely to be impaired, resulting in higher traffic accident rates" —Dr Prabhu Prasad, Consultant Pulmonologist
"Sometimes, people feel sleepy and it is extremely important to identify the reason for this, especially among drivers, because they are responsible for the lives of passengers," said Dr Salkar. "Some drivers ply along long inter-state mutes and are bound to feel drowsy while driving the vehicle. We can identify and if there is a definite cause, it can be rectified and sometimes if a driver is sleepy, rest is of utmost importance." "Sometimes, the driver's ego that he can drive despite sleepiness can cause great risk. We will identify risk factors and identify drivers with high sleep risk and put them through tests to further study the case and rectify It, even if it has to be done surgically." Dr Salkar added.
Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida along with Dr Shekar Salkar and others at the launch of the "Sleep Well, Drive Safe" campaign in Vasco. Vikram Nayak
Dr Prabhu Prasad, consultant pulmonologist and Head of the Manipal Hospitals Goa Centre for Study of Sleep and Breathing said sleep apnea is a common disorder in which a person has difficulty breathing during sleep. "Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common medical disorder that affects driving during the daytime. OSA can greatly disturb sleep and even if individuals have slept for 8 hours, they will not feel rested and are more likely to be impaired, resulting in higher traffic accident rates," said Dr Prasad. "Fatigue and feeling drowsy while driving has adverse effects on safety, health and quality of life. Fatigue Is caused by sleep restriction due to many causes and has negative outcome on health which includes impaired cognition and performance, motor vehicle crashes work-place accidents etc.," said Dr Prasad.
Manish Trivedi said Manipal Hospitals was happy to partner with KTC in the campaign. "Manipal Hospitals Goa has always been in the forefront to create awareness on important health issues. Manipal Hospitals is dedicated to eliminate risky behaviour of sleep apnea on roads" "Bus drives usually ignore the importance of good sleep and this affects their mind and body, causing undue stress and anxiety. Apart from it being a health risk thee are chances of road accidents and thus putting passenger lives at risk. We are hopeful that the awareness drive on sleeping well will change mindset and improve their quality of life," said Trivedi.
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