WINDHOEK – The Namibia Red Cross Society (NRCS) on Saturday observed World First Aid Day during which the aid agency raised awareness on how first aid could save lives, at the Katutura Red Cross Complex.
The day is annually marked on the second Saturday of September to highlight the lifesaving importance of first aid and how it can save lives in everyday and crisis situations. This year’s theme is – “First Aid and Road Safety” as each day thousands of people die in road accidents with thousands being injured. Many of these deaths and injuries could be avoided if people were trained in basic first aid treatment and were able to provide an appropriate and rapid response, according to Dorkas Kapembe-Haiduwa, the secretary general of the NRCS. As the number of small to medium size disasters increase each year, the need to teach basic first aid skills to individuals and communities has never been more important, she said.
“We are all more or less vulnerable, but we all have the capacity to learn and provide first aid to save a life,” said Haiduwa. Furthermore, the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) and the NRCS committed to work together in implementing a pilot project on first aid training, because this is a key element in saving lives.
Addressing the audience, head of communications at NRSC Ambrosius Tierspoor said: “We will collectively look at the legislative impediments that hamper the implementation of this important intervention … and that each new vehicle bought should contain a fist aid kit.”
First aid is by no means a replacement for emergency services, but it is a vital initial step to providing effective and swift action that helps to reduce serious injuries and improve the chances of survival. Taking immediate action and applying the appropriate techniques, while waiting for professional help, can reduce both deaths and injuries and the long-term impact considerably, added Tierspoor.
By Sabina Elago