The Federal Government has inaugurated a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Centre in Abuja.
This initiative, spearheaded by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, is part of the "Bring Back to Life" (BBL) programme organized by the Nigeria Cardiac Society.
The programme aims to equip community members with essential skills to manage sudden cardiac arrests effectively. Dr. Mahmoud highlighted the urgency of this initiative, noting that "cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally." She emphasized the critical role of CPR, stating that it "is a lifesaving technique that doubles or triples survival rates in cardiac arrest cases."
The new centre will focus on training individuals in CPR and installing Public Access Defibrillators (PAD) in high-traffic public areas to ensure prompt emergency responses.
The chairman of the BBL programme, Dr. Akinyemi Aje, underscored the importance of this initiative by pointing out that "about 89 per cent of cardiac arrest cases occur outside the hospital." He stressed the need for widespread CPR training, as many first responders lack the necessary knowledge to act effectively during such emergencies.
Dr. Aje also noted the societal challenge where bystanders often record incidents rather than assist, highlighting the need for a shift in public orientation towards proactive life-saving actions.
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