The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare today inaugurated Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Awareness Week, to be observed from 13–17 October 2025, with the goal of promoting nationwide awareness, training, and community participation in CPR—a vital emergency procedure that significantly improves survival chances in cardiac emergencies.
The campaign was launched by Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava in the presence of senior officials from the Health Ministry, healthcare professionals, and representatives from medical institutions and civil society.
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava emphasized the urgent need to strengthen public capability in performing CPR.
“The simple act of performing hands-only CPR can sustain blood flow and oxygen to vital organs until professional help arrives, increasing survival chances manifold,” she added.
Highlighting the Ministry’s vision for the campaign, she stated that the goal is to ensure that every household, school, office, and public space has at least one person trained in this lifesaving skill.
She underlined that, “This initiative is rooted in the understanding that cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of sudden deaths in India, with nearly 70% of such cases occurring outside hospital settings, where immediate medical assistance is often unavailable. In these critical moments, timely administration of CPR by a bystander can significantly improve survival outcomes.”
During the inaugural event, participants took a pledge to promote CPR awareness and encourage others to learn the technique. The session also featured a live demonstration of hands-only CPR by medical experts, illustrating how simple steps performed by bystanders can make the difference between life and death during a cardiac emergency.
In collaboration with MyGov and MYBharat platforms, the Ministry has also introduced an online CPR pledge and quiz to encourage wider public participation and awareness.