By Chioma Obinna

To enhance emergency response capabilities, the Nigerian Heart Foundation, NHF, has equipped the 105 staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, with the essential skills to handle life-threatening emergencies at the airports.

Speaking at the training, the Chairman of the Executive Council of NHF, Dr Olufemi Mobolaji-Lawal, explained that the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training programme for the FAAN staff in Lagos was part of activities to mark this year’s World Heart Day.

According to him, the training on Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for basic Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) was necessary following incidences of sudden deaths among Nigerians, hence, the need to safeguard lives.

Mobolaji- Lawal who noted that NHF and other partners had earlier donated some emergency equipment to the FAAN through the Federal Ministry of Health said: “NHF boss said, “Today is the first of those activities and it is to train staff of FAAN in the basic life support that is basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation.  This is the resuscitation of somebody who has slumped, and whose heart is not breathing.  We know that part of that cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the use of the equipment called AED.

“When the heart is breathing ineffectively, it cannot pump blood. This training is to equip FAAN staff on how to resuscitate people that collapse all of a sudden in the airport, and how to use the equipment.”

Noting that the ministry has directed that all staff of FAAN be trained on CPR, he said NHF has been able to do this through partners, adding that, the Foundation needs more partners to deliver more of the training.

Speaking, the General Manager of the Association of Medical Clinics of FAAN, Dr Bilqis Ibrahim, said the airport environment, being a hub of activity and a gateway to the nation, is prone to various medical emergencies.

Recognising the importance of timely intervention, she said FAAN has prioritised CPR training for its staff, emphasising the critical role of CPR in saving lives.

“We often encounter situations where people collapse, and immediate action is crucial. By empowering our staff with CPR skills, we can potentially save lives and minimize the impact of such incidents.”

She explained that CPR is a life-saving technique that involves chest compressions and artificial respiration to maintain blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain and heart. “It can significantly increase the chances of survival for individuals experiencing cardiac arrest, a sudden cessation of heart function.

Ibrahim said FAAN was committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of both its staff and passengers, adding that the impact of the training extends beyond the airport environment as they can potentially save lives in various settings, including homes, workplaces, and public spaces.

Speaking, a renowned medical emergency care practitioner and certified instructor, Mutiu Rufai highlighted, “When emergency strikes, especially heart-related issues, the survival rate in Nigeria is alarmingly low. By empowering individuals with CPR knowledge, we can bridge this gap and increase the chances of survival.”

He said the initiative by NHF and FAAN to prioritise CPR training sets a positive example for other organisations to follow. By investing in the well-being of its staff and the community, FAAN is making a substantial contribution to public health and safety

 Rufai said: “The population of people that know what to do is very small. The In-hospital cardiac arrest emergency is better because people must have been trained and they recognise when it is coming.”

The training programme covers a range of topics, including recognizing emergencies, performing CPR effectively, and using Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).