Kano Health Workers Acquire New Skills To Improve Community First Aid Response Services
Ekwem Blessing Chinwendu
RN, RM, RPHN, Bnsc
Kano state ministry of health in collaboration with the world bank Impact Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transport, ReSMAT has conducted a three days Community First Aid Response CFAR training for health workers drawn from across the state.
The training exercise held at Shelkh Khalifa Isyaka Rabiu hospital, Zoo road Kano was declared opened by the program co-ordinator, Dr, Sharif Yahaya Musa.
Musa tasked the participants to put to best practice the knowledge gained from the exercise.in the best interest of the development of the health sector in the state.
He encouraged the participants to take the training serious and to put in all they have learnt into practice.
Musa revealed that annually , thousands of people die ,, othesr sustain severed injuries from various forms of accidents, adding that many of those deaths could be prevented if first aid was given before emergency services arrive.
He stated that First aid is the immediate and temporary care given to an ill or injured person. Its primary goals are to preserve life, prevent the condition from deteriorating, and promote recovery until medical help arrives.
Comrade Salisu Garba Ahmad, Senior Community Health Technician , in his presentation on First Aid pointed out that , it is critical for health workers to acquire the skills required to perform CPR.
He added that , it would serve immense communal value for non health practitioners to also acquire the skills.
Salisu hinted that, cases of mortality could be drastically addressed through the deployment of CPR care.
According to him, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving procedure performed on persons , who are unresponsive and not breathing, applied through compression, airway, breathing and defibrillator.
He explained that, members of the public should be enlightened on the skills on how to place persons in state of unconsciousness though still breathing in a recovery position until help arrives, while maintaining proper observation to ensure they maintain normal breathing condition.
He said “ If someone is unconscious and not breathing normal , call emergency number and start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) straight away.
“Check the scene for safety, from an initial impression and use personal protective equipment PPE.
“If the person appears unresponsive, CHECK for responsiveness, breathing, life-threatening bleeding or other life-threatening conditions using shout-tap-shout
“If the person does not respond and is not breathing or only gasping, CALL emergency number and get equipment, or tell someone to do so
“Kneel beside the person. Place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface CPR guidelines recommend 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute, 30 at a time. Remember these five points:
“Two hands centered on the chest Body position: Shoulders directly over hands; elbows locked .Compression depth: At least 2 inches
“Rate of compressions: 100 to 120 per minute Allow chest to return to normal position after each compression. Give 2 breaths Open the airway to a past-neutral position using the head-tilt/chin-lift technique Pinch the nose shut, take a normal breath, and make complete seal over the person’s mouth with your mouth.
“Ensure each breath lasts about 1 second and makes the chest rise; allow air to exit before giving the next breath
“If the 1st breath does not cause the chest to rise, retilt the head and ensure a proper seal before giving the 2nd breath If the 2nd breath does not make the chest rise, an object may be blocking the airway
“Continue giving sets of 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths. Use an AED as soon as one is available! Minimize interruptions to chest compressions to less than 10 seconds.
Comrade Salisu, warned that serious measures are needed to ensure the safety of the first aider likewise the safety of the client or the victim before performing or rendering any form of help.
Comrade Salisu disclosed common emergency that are prevalent and requires immediate help , includes shock, heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke, bleeding , fractures and dislocation, acute asthmatic attack , drowning, and choking.
While Dr. Mudassir went further to explain the following common emergency and injuries which are diabetic emergencies, obstetrics and gynaecology emergencies, fainting attack, sneak bites, insect bite, poisoning, wound, sprain and strain.
Mal. Abubakar Musa demonstrated emergency position which are recovery position, log roll and Haines position. He also explained some emergency moves which are fireman , piggy back method, dragging, chair method lift, two-handed seat, three-handed seat, four-handed seat and crouching.
He lamented that , there are challenges militating against the administering of first aid services in the state.
He stated that , major concern has arisen from the inadequate training programmes for health workers, on CPR services.
He said “ Inability of the health care provider to put all learnt into practice. Lack of essential emergency equipment and drugs. Poor confidence by the caregiver, Poor prompt decision making by the care giver
Noting further that there is the challenge in the area of “ Poorly equipped ambulance . Inadequate ambulance services. Low number of ambulances in the state, Ambulance not positioned on strategic places .
He said to tackle the challenges associated with CPR delivery mass sensitization is needed to tackle the poor knowledge and skills on first aid measures
He noted that, advocacy and awareness campaign is required to curb the low communication between the community and the health facilities.
He called for the abolishment of the current state of low priority been given to emergency services by all state and non state actors, urging for better collaboration with NGOS .
The participants reached the conclusion that , to move the state forward in the provision of CPR services “ continual refresher training should be conducted to build up the confidence of the caregiver
“ Need for step down training to other staff by the trainee. Constant supervision to assess level of competency . Provision of equipments and essential commodities for emergency services
“ Ensure proper referral system when needed without delay .Ensure all needed equipment needed for the service are provided .Ambulance service should be available in all local government area of the state and some strategic places.
“Training of paramedics that will help to handle emergency situations before arriving at the hospital.The ambulance driver should work in harmony with the emergency call centre.
The public is adjudged would play pivotal role in saving lives in the state through , getting enlightened to comprehend that first aid care is everyone’s business and strive to work together with the hospital in their locality, while discouraging wrong traditional practice that endangers peoples life.
It is empathized that , that traditional healers need to work with the orthodox medicine practitioners to deliver accurate and adequate care
The mass spread of emergency call number in their localities or state for quick communication and response would help skyrocket the level of CPR service delivery in Kano.