CELEBRITIES ADD COLOUR TO WORLD RESTART A HEART DAY

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure that can help save a person’s life if their breathing or heart stops. When a person’s heart stops beating, they are in cardiac arrest. During cardiac arrest, the heart cannot pump blood to the rest of the body, including the brain and lungs. Death can happen in minutes without treatment. CPR uses chest compressions to mimic how the heart pumps. These compressions help keep blood flowing throughout the body.

To coincide with World Restart a Heart Day on October 16, a special workshop to create awareness about CPR was organized by a group of medical professionals at the Viharamaha Devi open air theatre premises in Colombo. A series of demonstrations and awareness programmes were lined up during the day for the benefit of the general public, members of the armed forces, school children and others. Several popular artistes including Dr. Somaratne Dissanayake, Renuka Balasuriya, Keerthi Pasqual, Vishva Balasuriya, Aruni, Gihan Fernando, Yashoda Wimaladharma, Sriyantha Mendis, Nilmini Tennekoon and others took part in the programme.

A special video on the subject created by Dr. Somaratne Dissanayake, Renuka Balasuriya and Vishva Balasuriya was also screened during the event which was anchored by well known lyricist and dental surgeon Dr. Asela Wijesundara.

Dr. Nilmini Wijesuriya said several institutions and social service organizations joined hands to make this event a success.