From Francis Akinnodi, Ondo
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Forty-two  healthcare providers comprising of doctors and nurses have benefited from the Basic Life Support (BLS) training at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo.

The training was put together by a team of experts based in the United States of America, led by Dr. Elsie Adedolapo Jolade, a Clinical  Professor in conjunction with the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo; UNIMED Teaching Hospital and the Ondo Unity Forum in America.

Vice Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, Prof. Friday Okonofua represented by the Dean, Faculty of Nursing Sciences, UNIMED, Dr. Mrs. O. A. Oluwatosin said the programme was put together in  view of the mission statement of the University which is to “expand access to compassionate and high-quality health care for under-served populations”.

Participants received Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training on how to provide basic life support for patients in life threatening emergencies without the use of drugs.

According to Dr. Elsie Adedolapo Jolade, the effective CPR given immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim’s chances of survival.

She said up to 90 percent of people who suffer a sudden cardiac arrest die because they do not receive immediate CPR from someone on the scene. So failure to act in a cardiac emergency can lead to unnecessary deaths.

“Emergencies such as sudden cardiac arrest when the heart stops beating and the person stops breathing due to serious injury can occur anytime.

“Such occurrence requires fast action and survival depends on immediately getting CPR from someone nearby, who is knowledgeable and capable enough to provide helpful assistance, hence the need for BLS training”.

The Hope reports that the American Heart Association (AHA) certification card valid for two years was issued to each participant at the end of the two-day event.

The first BLS training was conducted in 2016 and due to continuing collaboration with the University and OUFA, the training has become an annual event given to more than forty (40) healthcare providers.