By George Sanzila
KATIMA MULILO – Fifteen trainees from various institutions in Zambezi received certificates after they successfully completed first aid training.
The training was offered by the Namibian Red Cross Society (NRCS) in the Zambezi Region. Handing over certificates to the trainees, the Chief Regional Officer (CRO) for Zambezi, Regina Ndopu-Lubinda, underscored the importance of first aid in emergency situations.
The CRO, who doubles as the chairperson of Regional Road Safety Forum, noted, “The rationale of focusing on first aid stems from the fact that it is essential in emergency cases. Knowing what action needs to be taken to control an emergency can make the difference.”
According to Ndopu-Lubinda, with many road crash emergency cases recorded in the Zambezi Region annually, first aid has been identified as the first measure that could help save lives as many factors may hinder the quick arrival of an emergency response.
“Many people will die if nothing is done to correct the slow response time. The application of first aid techniques, in particular the proper positioning of the victim prior to the arrival of the emergency response teams, can mean the difference between life and death in a road crash,” she told the recipients of the first aid training.
Ndopu-Lubinda assured Zambezi residents that first aid training will remain a priority area as can be attested by its continuous inclusion in the budget.
“Zambezi Regional Road Safety Forum will include the training in first aid in addition to other activities planned in the next financial year. We also thank the national road safety council for availing funds required to implement planned annual activities of the forum,” she said.
Trainees included transport inspectors from Roads Authority, Nampol traffic officers and fire fighters from Katima Mulilo Town Council.
First aid encompasses, among others, keeping a victim alive, preventing the victim’s condition from getting worse, helping promote recovery from the injury or illness and ensuring the victim receives medical care.