Editorial
Add other regions to the training for “pre-hospital emergency care”
Pre-hospital emergency care is essential for enhancing the health of patients with both acute and chronic illnesses, as well as in the event of an emergency accident.
Therefore, enabling medical staff to respond quickly to patients in urgent situations can help save lives before they are sent to the hospital for additional care.
Pre-hospital care refers to situations where the sick, injured, or critically ill patient receives first aid before being transported to a medical facility.
Sometimes the situation is so serious that quick action is required to save the injured person’s life before even an ambulance arrives, since any delay will have an adverse effect on the patient.
It is heartwarming that a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Elijeko Foundation, has organised a training workshop on pre-hospital emergency care and cardiovascular diseases in the Ashanti Region in partnership with the National Ambulance Service (NAS) to assist healthcare professionals in managing emergencies like cardiac arrest before the victim is taken to the hospital.
The Foundation’s founder, Mr. Andrews Nyantakyi, explained that the programme was set up to save lives that were frequently lost due to cardiac arrest because bystanders were unable to administer life-saving resuscitation in a timely manner.
“We hope to use this programme to create a platform to promote direct community engagement and equip Ghanaians with the knowledge of what, when and how to respond to emergencies,” he explained.
The Spectator applauds the NGO’s initiative and hopes that the training would be made available to the general public and other regions of Ghana, to better prepare people to manage emergency situations and save lives.
This is due to the fact that families are frequently so bewildered during emergencies that they are unable to control the situation in a way that would save a life or instantly consider which hospital to transport the ill person to.
The problem is made worse when there isn’t enough transportation to take a patient to the hospital right away.
People end up dying as a result of this, which could have been prevented if a home cure for first aid had been used.
In an emergency, whether at home or in a public setting, one must act immediately to stabilise a patient who is in critical condition.
The majority of the time, a life has already been lost by the time the patient is taken to the hospital since a medical professional may not have arrived in time to provide first aid.
The Spectator calls on the government to intervene by giving the necessary resources, particularly money, to support the work of the NAS and the NGO to extend the training to other healthcare organisations and even private citizens.
We also hope that the government will heed the plea of Dr Joseph Bonney, an Emergency Medicine Specialist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital at Kumasi in the Ashanti Region to “enact a law for every public facility to have a first aid box and automated external defibrillator.”
Let us work to lead healthy lifestyles by keeping an eye on our diets, getting regular exercise, being socially engaged, visiting a doctor for routine exams, taking our medications as prescribed, getting enough sleep, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking.
Additionally, you should get medical help right away if you see any symptoms of a chronic disease to prevent any emergencies.
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
