TraumaLink is a volunteer-based emergency response system created in 2013 to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on the highways. Road traffic injuries are a rapidly growing public health crisis throughout the developing world, and Bangladesh is one of the nations hardest hit by this epidemic.
Our service model utilizes an emergency hotline number and a 24/7 call center with local first responders trained in basic trauma first aid, provided with essential medical supplies, and dispatched to crash scenes by SMS messaging.
We are currently operating on a total of 227 km: 157 km on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Cumilla, and Feni, 40 km on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway in Dhaka and Manikganj, and 30 km on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in Gazipur, working with 916 volunteers who have already responded to nearly 2500 emergency calls and treated over 4800 injured patients.
TraumaLink has provided Emergency First Aid Training to over 1200 people including our volunteers, university students, and members of youth organizations. We are also building strong partnerships with a large and growing number of government, academic, and non-governmental institutions as we expand our operations.
The primary founders of TraumaLink are Dr. Jon Moussally, Ryan Fu, and Eric Dunipace from the Harvard School of Public Health; and Mridul Chowdhury, CEO of mPower Social Enterprises Ltd. Initially, with incubation support from mPower, TraumaLink started its pilot operations as a social enterprise on a 19 km stretch of the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Daudkandi.
During this time, TraumaLink received support from USAID Development Innovation Ventures and earned the mBillionth Award. After the 18-month phase of pilot operations, in 2016, TraumaLink was established as a Trust to begin its formal operations, working toward a self-sustaining model that will one day provide these life-saving services to all Bangladeshis.
Our service model
Traumalink provides an effective way to connect these injured patients with trained first responders.
1. AN INJURY OCCURS
A person is injured, needs immediate medical attention, and may be at risk of dying.
2. CALL FROM SCENE OF INJURY
From the scene, victims or bystanders can call TraumaLink’s emergency hotline using any local or mobile phone.
3. TRAUMALINK CALL CENTER
TraumaLink has a 24/7 call center with operators ready to immediately start an emergency response.
4. RECORD ROAD CRASH INFO
The call center operator records information on the crash.
5. NOTIFY FIRST RESPONDERS
A TraumaLink operator takes the emergency call and alerts trained and equipped first responders that are nearby and ready to help.
6. PERFORM FIRST AID SERVCE
Using first aid supplies provided by TraumaLink, volunteers rapidly treat patients at the crash scene.
7. GUIDE TRANSPORTATION & INFORM HEALTH FACILITY
After treating patients, our volunteer first responders will help to arrange transportation to a healthcare facility if this is necessary.
8. SEND PATIENT TO HEALTHCARE FACILITY
Patients are sent to the nearest medical facility equipped to treat their injuries.
What We Do
Injured patients are much more likely to survive if they receive treatment quickly, so having rapid access to medical care at the crash scene is essential. Fortunately, within the first hour after injury, simple medical treatments can be highly effective at preventing paralysis and death. This critical window is known as the “Golden Hour” and is the period of time during which TraumaLink First Responders work.
RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS
TraumaLink recruits volunteers from the local community who are able to arrive at the crash scene within minutes. Volunteer first responders work under the direction of full time TraumaLink Field Staff.
PROVIDE TRAINING
Once the recruitment of TraumaLink volunteers is completed, they are provided with free emergency first aid training before beginning their service.