The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has begun training of over 20,000 people, ranging from Healthcare workers, Military, Paramilitary and others on Basic Life Support (BLS) to reduce mortality.

 Chief Medical Director, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Oluwabunmi Fatugase represented by the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, OOUTH, Dr. Ibukun Ogundele stated this at the flag off of the Nationwide Advanced and Basic Cardiac Life Support workshop organised by Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in conjunction with Damilola Adebola Cardiovascular Foundation at Adebola Adegunwa audio visual center, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu

She said that the training was meant to improve healthcare delivery in the country, saying that the burden of cardiac  arrest was very common among black people.

“It is important that health workers know how to handle emergencies, the fact that young doctors are taking up this initiative gladdens my heart that there is hope for this country, with this training, we are going to get a lot more capacity building that would empower even a layman on the street to handle BLS confidently that will reduce mortality in the society” she said.

She pledged the support of the hospital management to continue to provide the enabling environment for them to sustain the tempo, urging them to extend it to all other categories of people.

Speaking, President, NARD, Dr. Tope Osundara explained that the training was organised to empower healthcare workers, military, paramilitary and others on how to handle emergency, urging trainees to participate actively and thereafter train others, revealing that many have died as a result of cardiac arrest, respiratory disorder and other life threatening conditions.

In his remarks, Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Ogunjimi Lukman appreciated the organisers, saying that the training would  empower participants to respond adequately to those in need of BLS in the society.

He said a lot of cardiac patient that had access to full BLS personnel  are still living, urging organisers to extend the training to the layman on the street as everyone could be trained.

In his goodwill message, President, Association of Resident Doctors, OOUTH, Dr. Monehin Olusola said that the association was not only concerned about members’ welfare, but also made it a point of duty to impact the public with BLS knowledge.

He appreciated the Prince Dapo Abiodun’s led administration for creating an enabling environment for Resident Doctors in the State to discharge their duties a safer society, pledging continued support to government’s policies and programmes