BY FRIDAY ISEWEDE
The Edo State Government has intensified efforts to enhance emergency preparedness by training staff of the Ministry of Public Safety and Security, along with personnel from allied agencies, in vital pre-hospital care skills to improve survival chances during heart attacks, cardiac arrests, and other life-threatening situations.
The one-day training workshop, held at the Ministry’s headquarters, featured renowned emergency medicine specialist and Coordinator of the Save Accident Victims Association of Nigeria (SAVAN), Professor Edeaghe Ehikhamenor, who led hands-on sessions on life-saving interventions.
Professor Ehikhamenor emphasised that survival rates in medical emergencies largely depend on prompt and appropriate first aid, noting that heart attacks often come with warning signs such as chest pain, sweating, and breathlessness, while cardiac arrests typically occur without prior symptoms.
He warned that many fatalities result from delayed or improper responses and urged government institutions to prioritise first responder training for staff likely to arrive first at emergency scenes.
Participants underwent practical drills on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) usage, and victim assessment techniques, utilising mannequins and emergency response equipment to simulate real-life scenarios and build confidence in handling critical incidents.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Queeneth Orebedo, reaffirmed the Edo State Government’s dedication to strengthening the capacity of its workforce for prompt and effective emergency response.
She highlighted that training personnel in modern first aid aligns with the state’s mandate to safeguard lives and disclosed that periodic refresher courses and advanced workshops on up-to-date emergency protocols would follow this initial training.
Among those in attendance were officers from the Edo State Security Corps, Fire Service, Emergency Management Agency, Command and Control Centre, Edo State Transport Authority, and staff of the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA).
Participants expressed appreciation for the practical knowledge acquired, stating that the training significantly improved their readiness and confidence to respond swiftly in emergencies.
The workshop concluded with a mock assessment to evaluate participants’ ability to apply their new skills effectively under pressure.
