20k residents to be trained in first aid: Health ministry
The trainees will receive a certificate valid for two years from the training provided by MoHaP instructors, private entities and volunteers who have the licence to train in this field.” Saqr Ghanem Al Humeiri, director, training and development centre
dubai — At least 20,000 people will be trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP), in a new national initiative to be implemented in the next four to five years.
This is in line with the ‘Year of Zayed’ and will be done in cooperation with the Federal National Council (FNC).
The National Initiative for First Aid and CPR, which will train 20,000 people from various sectors of society, will be implemented within four to five years and is aimed at reducing the causes of death such as cardiac arrest, strokes and other emergencies.
The initiative will take off with an orientation and training session to be conducted by MoHaP’s training and development centre for the members of the FNC.
The initiative also seeks to encourage other government entities from the federal and local level to adopt and implement it, as well as build a database of volunteers for paramedics to assist in emergencies, crises and disasters.
Awad Saghir Al Ketbi, assistant undersecretary for support services sector for MoHaP, issued a administrative resolution for the creation of an oversight (ad-hoc) committee chaired by Saqr Ghanem Al Humeiri, director of the training and development centre, to oversee the implementation of the training, which will include first aid, CPR, and quick-response to medical emergencies, crises and disasters in accordance with UAE Cabinet Decision (No. 6) of 2016.
Al Ketbi said that the initiative is aimed at increasing community awareness about cardiac arrest and providing training on ways to quickly respond to cases of sudden cardiac arrest, such as administering CPR and first aid to save an injured person.
He further noted that the committee will supervise the implementation and progress of the initiative such as identifying the target participants, defining the priorities of training groups, and applying the training programmes as soon as the scientific and training materials are available.
Al Humeiri added: “The department will be responsible for organising the first aid and CPR operations, the training materials, which have international accreditation and approved by MoHaP. The trainees will receive a certificate valid for two years from the training provided by MoHaP instructors, private entities and volunteers who have the licence to train in this field.” Dr Abdel Karim Al Zarouni, director of emergency, crisis and disaster department at the ministry, said that the national initiative has chosen the FNC as the pioneering entity to lead in training and motivating both the private and public sector, companies, shopping centres and schools. They will also reach the household levels as well, through the Supreme Council for the Family and Women’s Associations.
The centre has all the required expertise and competencies, and it has provided the first regional programme to train professionals on CPR and cardiovascular care provided following the latest updates from the American Heart Association and the first national programme to train and license accredited trainers for first aid and recovery from the European Resuscitation Council.