Lagos: The Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) on Monday trained no fewer than 105 staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on basic life support for victims of cardiac arrest in airports. Dr Olufemi Mobolaji-Lawal, the Chairman, Executive Council of NHF, emphasized the importance of training on Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for basic Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to safeguard lives.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mobolaji-Lawal highlighted that NHF and other partners had previously donated emergency equipment to FAAN through the Federal Ministry of Health, which had directed that all FAAN staff be trained. He noted that the current training session marked the beginning of these activities, aimed at teaching FAAN staff basic life support skills, including CPR, and the use of AED equipment for resuscitating individuals who experience sudden cardiac arrest at airports.
He added that NHF, as a Non-Governmental Organisation, has been active in educating and training people on
maintaining healthy lifestyles and has donated similar equipment to various organizations, carrying out training in several companies. Mobolaji-Lawal also called for partnerships to help deliver these essential trainings.
Dr Mutiu Rufai, a Guest Lecturer and Medical Emergency Care Practitioner, explained that cardiopulmonary resuscitation involves chest compressions and breathing for cardiac arrest victims. He noted that the lack of training contributes to the low rescue rates, with less than one percent of cardiac arrest victims being saved, highlighting the need for trained personnel in both pre-hospital and in-hospital settings.
Dr Bilqis Ibrahim, General Manager of the Association of Medical Clinics of FAAN, remarked that the training also benefited personnel from other agencies like Customs, Immigration, Police, Air Force, and Quarantine at the airport. She stressed the importance of equipping airport workers with the skills to manage emergencies, given airports’ role as gateways into the country.
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ticipant Mrs Funke Ojekale, a FAAN staff member, described the training as rewarding and expressed her newfound ability to handle emergencies swiftly and effectively. Mr Odion Andrew, another FAAN staffer, expressed his readiness to share the knowledge gained with others, underscoring the training’s purpose to spread life-saving skills.