500,000 first aiders ready for action

Ceremony held to promote importance of timely treatment during emergency

LAHORE: As many as 500,000 first aiders are ready to serve in all the province’s union councils (UCs), said Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer.

He issued this statement on the occasion of World First Aid Day at an event organised by Rescue 1122 at the Command and Control Centre. The international day was commemorated with the theme “First Aider in Every Home” in all districts of the province.

The DG was the chief guest of the main ceremony, while senior officers from the headquarters, the academy, Lahore district, rescuers and a large number of scouts attended the event.

The purpose was to promote the importance of a first aider in every household to provide timely treatment, prevent further injuries and to save lives across Punjab.

Speaking on the occasion, the DG welcomed all the volunteers and briefed them on the importance of World First Aid Day and the relevant training by sharing an example of rescue operations. “Rescue 1122 has delivered timely first aid to 7.3 million victims of emergencies since the inception of the service.”



He emphasised on the preparedness of a community for first aid to ensure the timely treatment for victims of emergency and disaster. He stressed on the need to provide first aid to reduce the number disabilities.

Earlier, Community, Safety and Information Head Deeba Shahnaz told the DG that about 500,000 community members have been trained as first aiders to deal with local emergencies under the first aid programme. “Out of this half a million trained community first aiders, 160,817 are female community first aiders.”

The DG appreciated the Community Safety Wing of the PES and all district emergency officers for the completion of the biannual target of training a first aider for every home. “Only well-trained community members can significantly contribute to reducing morbidity and mortality rates by providing immediate assistance to victims of emergencies at the initial stage.”

He appealed to local community members to join hands with the emergency service and acquire lifesaving skills. “Collective efforts are highly needed to establish healthy, safe and resilient communities in Pakistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2019.