Worried by the surge in cases of cardiac arrest across the country, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has flagged off a Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Centre in the nation’s capital city.
The center which is set to train residents on actions to be taken in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, was flagged off on the occasion of the Bring Back to Life, BBL, programme organised by the Nigeria Cardiac Society.
The initiative would also see to the installation and maintenance of Public Access Defibrillators, PAD, in all public places with large human traffic.
Mahmoud, at the event noted that cardiovascular diseases remained a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, stressing that in Nigeria, the statistics are alarming.
She said that the FCT Administration recognizes the urgency of having a CPR centre, as the FCTA is committed to enhancing healthcare infrastructure and community capacity.
The minister explained that Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, CPR, is a lifesaving technique that doubles or triples survival rates in cardiac arrest cases, adding that every minute counts in responding to cardiac emergencies.
According to her, “empowering communities with CPR skills, we ensure prompt response and increase chances of survival”.
While commending the Nigeria Cardiac Society for its dedication and playing a leading role in this laudable initiative, Mahmoud emphasised that the programme is a testament to effective public-private partnerships and it is in line with the renewed hope agenda of the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The minister, however, urged community leaders, healthcare professionals, and individuals to join this noble cause of promoting a culture of lifesaving interventions and reduce cardiovascular-related deaths.
She also added; “I call on all Nigerians and FCT residents in particular to practice healthy lifestyle measures such as physical exercise, reduction in calorie intake, reduction in salt intake, cessation of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption.
“These lifestyle measures are cost effective ways of reducing cardiovascular diseases”.
In his response, the chairman of Bring Back to Life programme, Dr. Akinyemi Aje, stated that about 89 per cent cases of cardiac arrest occurred outside the hospital, hence the need for the establishment of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation centres in public places.
Aje, further stressed that very often Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, CPR, is done incorrectly by the first responder while others present at the scene would rather record on their devices in order to post on social media than assist in salvaging the life of the victim.
He said, “some first responders such as family members, friends and by-standers at the scene may not even know what to do at such occasion because they have little or no knowledge of CPR.
“This is why the Nigerian Cardiac Society, NCS, has come up with the BBL project being launched today, with the objective of taking CPR trainings to the grassroots so that Nigerians will know what to do when confronted with cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death.
“The “Slump and die” phenomenon has no respect for financial status, age, level of education or occupation. It can occur at any place such as: at home, work place, marketplace, motor park, in the hospital, in the plane, in an executive meeting, in a hotel, in the school, etc.
“Slump and live” is achievable if we all work together to change our orientation. Each of us, including children, must be ready to learn the steps on how to bring back life after slumping by doing CPR”.
