Hyderabad: Anjali Madala, a 12-year-old student from the USA with roots in Nizamabad, has launched the second dedicated CPR training programme in Nizamabad and Ranga Reddy under her ‘Vital Squad‘ initiative.
The initiative has so far covered three schools and trained students and teachers in CPR.
Her journey began a year ago after her father, Raman Madala, suffered a cardiac arrest and was saved by CPR, which sparked her interest. Back in her home village in Nizamabad, she thought of spreading CPR awareness among schoolchildren. “This initiative is very personal to me. While we were on our way to the airport in the US in 2023, my father suddenly collapsed due to cardiac arrest. We called 911 and the team arrived within 6 minutes and saved him,” she said.
This life-changing experience brought home to her the harsh reality that cardiac emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. “Not everyone is so lucky. With an estimated 6 lakh people succumbing to sudden cardiac death in India every year, and only 3% of the population trained in CPR, the need for awareness and action has never been greater. When I came to India, I thought of doing something here because it would be difficult to get help within 6 minutes unless there were first responders in every household,” she said.
So far, Vital Squad has conducted training programmes in schools in the old districts of Nizamabad, Medak and Hyderabad, reaching over 1,000 students and donating a mannequin to each school to help with ongoing training.
“With proper support, I hope to expand their efforts and cover the entire state of Telangana,” said Anjali.
The initiative has so far covered three schools and trained students and teachers in CPR.
Her journey began a year ago after her father, Raman Madala, suffered a cardiac arrest and was saved by CPR, which sparked her interest. Back in her home village in Nizamabad, she thought of spreading CPR awareness among schoolchildren. “This initiative is very personal to me. While we were on our way to the airport in the US in 2023, my father suddenly collapsed due to cardiac arrest. We called 911 and the team arrived within 6 minutes and saved him,” she said.
This life-changing experience brought home to her the harsh reality that cardiac emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. “Not everyone is so lucky. With an estimated 6 lakh people succumbing to sudden cardiac death in India every year, and only 3% of the population trained in CPR, the need for awareness and action has never been greater. When I came to India, I thought of doing something here because it would be difficult to get help within 6 minutes unless there were first responders in every household,” she said.
So far, Vital Squad has conducted training programmes in schools in the old districts of Nizamabad, Medak and Hyderabad, reaching over 1,000 students and donating a mannequin to each school to help with ongoing training.
“With proper support, I hope to expand their efforts and cover the entire state of Telangana,” said Anjali.
