UBTH trains 600 First Responders in Basic Life Support

As part of the momentous 50th anniversary celebrations of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), an impressive training program was conducted to equip 600 residents with essential Basic Life Support (BLS) skills. With the overarching theme of “Advancing the legacy of quality healthcare” this initiative aims to enhance emergency response capabilities.

The training, which took place at the Oba Ovoranmwen Park, Mission Road, Benin-Lagos Road, Edo State, attracted a diverse range of participants, including security operatives, paramilitary personnel, journalists, and market women.

The program focused on providing participants with comprehensive knowledge and essential skills in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and other critical procedures required during emergencies.

Darlington Obaseki, the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, emphasized that the primary objective of the program was to train individuals who may not possess a medical background on how to effectively resuscitate people in medical emergencies.

This initiative underscores UBTH’s commitment to equipping the community with life-saving skills and prioritizing the welfare of the public.

As part of the UBTH’s gratitude towards the public and in anticipation of its upcoming anniversary, a series of events have been arranged by the hospital’s management. The training program stands as a testament to UBTH’s dedication to not only celebrating the significant milestone but also giving back to the community.

He said, “As a hospital, we made the decision to take advantage of this 50th anniversary to educate the public, particularly the first responders—that is, police officers, journalists, and first responders on road safety. When there is an emergency, they are typically the first to arrive.

“If you are a journalist covering an event and you witness someone collapse, you should assist the sufferer before medical assistance comes. We scheduled this training for everyone because of this. To achieve these things, you don’t need to go medical school.”

Dr. Abebe John, the Deputy Coordinator of the Paramedic Training School of UBTH, stressed the importance of creating awareness among the public regarding life-saving skills to enable them to respond effectively during emergencies. Highlighting the lack of knowledge surrounding these invaluable skills, he emphasized the need for such training programs.