KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health, represented by he Emergency Medical Services Department, has launched a campaign to raise people’s awareness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how it’s performed. The initiative coincides with October being designated as a month for educating the public about CPR skills and first aid. It will feature a series of events to be held in shopping malls across the country. The campaign, which kicked off Friday at The Avenues mall, will run throughout October and focus on CPR as a lifesaving technique crucial in emergencies when someone’s breathing or heartbeat stops. It will include training courses and workshops in schools, universities, workplaces, and shopping centers, aiming to empower as many people as possible to master CPR skills and improve survival chances in cases of sudden cardiac arrest, Dr Ahmed Al-Shatti, Director of the Emergency Medical Services Department, told KUNA.

Dr Al-Shatti highlighted the vital role of emergency personnel in saving lives during such incidents. He stressed the significance of CPR skills in saving lives, reducing harm, and equipping individuals to act in emergencies, thus supporting the community when urgent situations arise. The campaign also seeks to emphasize the important role of emergency medical responders as the first line of defense in cardiac arrest situations, providing CPR on-site and managing critical cases efficiently and swiftly. The goal is to raise health awareness and enhance community preparedness to respond to emergencies, ultimately reducing injuries and fatalities from everyday incidents. The campaign will also feature an exhibition titled “Learn CPR skills to be safe” which will take place over three days, with sessions in both the morning and evening. Emergency medical technicians from the Sabah and Hawally regions will participate, offering visitors the chance to check their blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as receive hands-on training in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. — KUNA