Badagry (Lagos State) -The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Friday re-emphasised the importance of first aid in the rescue of accident victims.
The FRSC spoke on its importance at a one-day workshop for its corps members in Ota Owori, Ijankin in Lagos State, held in conjunction with Traumacare International Foundation.
Mr Hyginus Omeje, the Sector Commander for Lagos State, in a lecture at the event, said that giving first aid was vital in saving lives.
Omeje, who was represented by the Ikotun Unit Commander, Mrs Iwuoha Chinwendu, said that the event was important for officers of the commission.
“First aid treatment is very important when accidents occur because it is the first treatment a victim receives before the required proper treatment is taken.
“Since we are the officers who are called when accidents occur, we are obliged to know how to offer first aid treatment.
“It is important we learn this because I am sure that this step taken would help to save lives in the nearest future.
“ So, all road users are required to learn everything about first aid treatment,’’ he said.
Omeje urged officers to pay attention and take note of all the necessary steps in first aid treatment procedure.
“This is paramount to our job and it goes a long way in saving lives,” the sector commander said.
Dr Amaka Adekoya of Truamacare said that first aid treatment was important and should not be ignored.
“The first aid is very important and everyone should learn about it.
“People tend to ignore it, but when mishaps happen, they end up regretting that it was not learnt.
“We shouldn’t wait until it is too late to know about first aid treatment before learning to do the right things when accidents occur,” she noted.
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In his remark, Mr Salisu Galadunsi, Badagry unit commander said that the command had extended its enlightenment programmes to motorists.
“We believe that commercial bus drivers, okada riders and drivers generally converge at worship centres to learn about effective first aid treatment.
“That is another way of reaching out to many people. It has yielded positive results,” he noted.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FRSC officials of Badagry, Ikotun and Iba units participated in the workshop.
They were taught how to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation, popularly known as CPR.
The participants were also taught how to stop bleeding and how to carry accident victims amongst others. (NAN)