A US based non-profit organization, Naijaid-UK, has donated 10 automated external defibrillators (AED) valued at 15 million naira to the Lagos State Government to improve emergency medical services in public health facilities in the State.
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device used to treat cardiac arrest, a life-threatening condition where the heart suddenly stops beating properly. It sends an electric shock to the heart of a person in cardiac arrest and it restores a normal heart rhythm. The multi-million naira AEDs is an automated voice prompt device which have electrode pads, batteries, capacitors and processors as some of its core components.
Receiving the devices, on behalf of the state government, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye during one day Immediate Life Support (ILS) training put together for practicing Lagos nurses drawn from public and private health facilities by the US based organization said, AEDs would help improve the basic life support services provided by health workers in public health facilities and during emergency medical services.
” According to him, the medical devices NaijaAid-UK will help the State Government provide immediate life support to those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest adding that the automated external defibrillator (AED) is a device that recognizes ventricular fibrillation and other dysrhythmias and delivers an electric shock at the right time to save lives “.
Ogboye who was represented by the Director, Nursing Services, Mrs. Dorcas Shonibare at the event averred that it was in recognition of the invaluable role nurses play in providing medical emergency services both at the facility level and in emergency situations that made the Lagos State Government partner with NaijaAid-UK to improve the capacity of nurses through the ILS training.
He said: “The Lagos State Government recognizes the role of nurses in the provision of life saving medical services, thus bringing to fore, the urgent need to continue to develop nurses and other health workers capacity and lifesaving skills as part of effort to prepare them for the realities of the present day and keep them abreast of best practices in health care delivery anywhere in the world”.
While appreciating Naijaid-UK for the generous donation, the Permanent Secretary stressed that Lagos State is open to productive collaborations which will enhance the provision of efficient and sustainable health care service in Lagos.
” The AEDs will be put to good use, I implore nurses who benefits from the training to make the best out of what you have learnt and cascade the knowledge to your colleagues when you get back to your different places of work ” Ogboye.
Speaking in the same vein, the Commissioner IV, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Mrs Kemi Ogunyemi, expressed delight at the donation and capacity building workshop, stresses the need for regular capacity building programmes for health workers particularly nurses, adding that training such as this will keep healthcare workers abreast of modern trends in efficient medical practice.
” I appreciate Naijaid-UK for the productive partnership with the State Government adding that the attainment of universal health coverage and provision of efficient and quality health services can only be achieved through collaborative effort “. Ogunyemi
Chief Executive Officer, Naijaid-UK and Founding Trustee, Dr. Lanre Nehan-Babalola explained that Naijaid-UK organization which is committed to providing life-saving healthcare services to those in need, adding that, it carries out public awareness programme, healthcare professional programme, medical outreach activities and medical equipment donation across the Africa continent.
According to her ” the training session is targeted at supporting Nigerian Nurses in the management of patients as part of their Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to continue saving lives. I commended the state Government via the Ministry of Health for creating an opportunity for a productive collaboration ” . Lanre
Dr. Folake Dawodu, a facilitator at the training stated that nurses must always be at their best in identifying and recognizing deteriorating patients as most cardiac arrests are predictable, adding that hypoxaemia and hypotension are common antecedents of the condition.