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DHA gives life-saving training to students

Students and teachers in Dubai schools are being taught how to save lives in case a cardiac arrest occurs on the school premises.

With the aid of a tiny cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) machine, school staff and children will be well-equipped to meet any untoward incident on the school premises. All 186 schools — 156 private and 30 government — will receive free pocket CPR machines after they undergo the CPR training.

“We are equipping teachers and children not because many such cases happen but if even one happens, they are ready to deal with it,” said a senior health official from Dubai Health Authority (DHA). To date, only a single such case has been reported from any school in Dubai. Head of School Health Unit Amal Al Mehrezi said: “This is the first time we are providing pocket CPR machines across schools.”

“Given the compact size of the machines, it is very convenient and enhances the efficiency of providing CPR. For example, the machine will guide the person performing CPR about the need to increase or decrease the pressure and/or pace which performing CPR,” she explained.

She said that such initiatives are essential as part of the authority’s school health programme and are being provided by Leaders Healthcare. The campaign was inaugurated at Al Salam Girls School in Al Barsha in the presence of DHA Director-General Essa Al Maidoor, and Director-General of Dubai Education Zone Dr Ahmad Eid Al Mansouri. “Last year we provided training to 200 healthcare professionals working across schools in Dubai on handling emergencies,” said Al Maidoor.

“We are pleased that we have taken this initiative forward and are now providing them with pocket CPR machines which will assist them in administering the right care during emergency situations.” “Our aim is to ensure that all school healthcare professionals are well trained to tackle emergency situations,” said Director of DHA Health Regulation Dr Ramadan Ibrahim. Mohammed, a training officer from Leaders Healthcare, said that the machine was easy to use by any member of the public.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com