Fortis Hospital, Mulund, has conducted India’s first Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) workshop exclusively designed for Emergency Medicine doctors, with recognition from the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM). The two-day training, held on August 9-10 in collaboration with the Society for Emergency Medicine India and the Association of Healthcare Providers India, was the first programme in the country to focus specifically on the needs of Emergency Medicine specialists. It combined academic sessions with hands-on practical training for participants.
ECMO, a life-support system critical in resuscitation, is especially vital for patients with cardiogenic shock or severe lung injury. The programme also highlighted Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (E-CPR), which merges ECMO technology with conventional CPR and has shown lifesaving potential in young patients with refractory cardiac arrest. The workshop covered the underlying philosophy, scientific principles, and latest evidence supporting these interventions. In addition, delegates gained hands-on training in skills such as cannulation, ECMO initiation, and intra-aortic balloon pumping.
Dr. Sandeep Gore, Director of Emergency Medicine at Fortis Hospital Mulund and National Vice President of the Society for Emergency Medicine India, chaired the programme. He emphasised, “Emergency Medicine doctors must be proficient in advanced resuscitation techniques and familiar with the role of ECMO in clinical care. In the near future, E-CPR is expected to become the standard of care for refractory cardiac arrest in young adults.”
Dr. Jumana Haji, Director of the ECMO Programme at Fortis Mulund, added, “The intensive two-day training focused on real-world skills such as ECMO case selection, patient counselling, cannulation, transport, and troubleshooting. Simulations demonstrated E-CPR, emergency cannulation, patient transport on ECMO, and management of complications. The strongest message from the workshop was the importance of forming dedicated shock teams and continuous upskilling of Emergency Medicine physicians.”