The Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), a non-governmental organization, is advocating for the integration of First Responders Training into the secondary school curriculum nationwide. HEI believes that equipping young people with essential life-saving skills will significantly reduce mortality rates stemming from emergencies, particularly those occurring before reaching a medical facility. This initiative comes in response to the alarming statistic that over 40% of deaths in Nigeria occur before the individual can access professional medical care. HEI argues that empowering bystanders, especially young people who are often present at the scene of such incidents, with the knowledge and skills to provide immediate assistance is crucial in bridging this gap and saving lives. Instead of passively documenting emergencies through social media, HEI promotes active intervention through first responder training.
This call to action arises from the successful implementation of a four-day ‘Safety/First Aid Training for Secondary School Students and Teachers’ program held at Community Secondary School in Rivers State. The program, sponsored by TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministries of Education and Health, serves as a pilot project for national implementation. The positive reception and adoption of similar initiatives in Lagos and Kwara states further bolster HEI’s argument for nationwide integration. The program seeks to instill first responder skills as a fundamental life skill, akin to Biology or Physical and Health Education, ingrained in the educational foundation of young Nigerians.
HEI’s push for national integration of First Responders Training is driven by a growing concern over the prevalence of pre-hospital emergencies, particularly cardiovascular incidents, which often result in preventable deaths. The organization emphasizes the importance of immediate intervention in such cases, as the first few minutes can be critical for survival. By training young people to become effective first responders, HEI aims to create a network of individuals capable of providing vital assistance while professional help is en route. This proactive approach, they believe, is far more effective than passive observation and social media documentation, which often contributes little to the victim’s survival.
The program’s focus on secondary school students is strategic. Young people are not only frequently present at the scenes of accidents and emergencies, but they also represent a generation that can disseminate these life-saving skills within their communities. By integrating this training into the curriculum, HEI hopes to cultivate a culture of preparedness and responsiveness, empowering individuals to take decisive action during emergencies. This approach aligns with the broader goal of strengthening community-based emergency response systems and reducing reliance solely on professional medical services, which can often be delayed or inaccessible.
The Rivers State Ministry of Education has expressed strong support for this initiative and is committed to ensuring its sustainability. The ministry plans to establish school-based First Responders clubs to provide ongoing training and practice opportunities for students. This commitment extends to monitoring the effectiveness of these clubs and advocating for the inclusion of First Responders Training in the official school curriculum. The collaboration between HEI, TotalEnergies, and the Rivers State Ministries of Education and Health demonstrates a concerted effort to prioritize emergency preparedness and equip young people with the necessary tools to save lives.
The training provided to the students encompassed a comprehensive range of emergency situations, including snake bites, burns, fainting, non-communicable diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and seizures, as well as more critical incidents such as epilepsy, sudden cardiac arrest, heart attacks, and sports-related injuries. The program also included training on neck immobilization, a crucial skill for handling potential spinal injuries. The final day of the training involved over 250 participants from 17 schools across six local government areas, highlighting the scale and reach of this initiative. Each participant received a certificate of participation, signifying their acquired knowledge and skills in first response. The success of this program and the positive feedback from students and educators underscore the potential for nationwide implementation and the transformative impact it could have on emergency response in Nigeria.
