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.
Editorial
Promote welfare of African children
The African Union hosts the annual International Day of the African Child on June 16 to increase awareness of the rights and ongoing struggles of African children.
Additionally, the day offers a forum for talking about and addressing topics including healthcare, education, and safety from exploitation and abuse.
It began in 1976 when students in Soweto, South Africa, were killed for demonstrating against inequality and injustice in education.
Since children have rights that must be upheld, the African Day celebration is appropriate because it serves as a poignant reminder to our communities to put children’s needs first, ensuring that they develop and realise their full potential.
Most importantly, it pushes people, governments, and communities to address pressing issues like child labour, inadequate education, and to ensure safe, healthy environments.
This year’s theme, “Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: progress since 2010,” is no exception to the efforts done thus far by governments, individuals, parents, and others to advance the welfare of children.
In addition to their rights to nutritious food, medical care, secure housing, and high-quality education, children also require emotional support, safety, and protection from danger in order to flourish.
Children’s physical, mental, and social development depends on these necessities, yet far too many continue to be denied their rights and go without food, housing, water, or health care.
While eating, sleeping, playing, and learning are all important aspects of a child’s growth, some children do not find these activities enjoyable. Such children work independently to make ends meet although their parents are responsible for that role,
Many people and organisations have put a lot of effort into making sure that children’s rights are outlined, upheld, and safeguarded; thus, everyone must keep fighting for children’s rights.
The Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC) was created in 1989 as a result of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which served as the foundation for all legal norms pertaining to children’s rights. This is the first international agreement with legal force that covers all human rights.
Therefore, a multifaceted strategy encompassing legal frameworks, education, community involvement, and tackling systemic challenges is needed to assure the preservation of children’s rights.
Laws that safeguard children from abuse must be put into place and upheld, public awareness of children’s rights and protection must be increased, and safe spaces must be established in institutions and communities.
Let us all work together to defend the rights of African children.
Editorial
Employ pros at local government level to address sanitation issues
Dear Editor,
In a car on my way to work on Tuesday, I listened to an interview on sanitation on a radio station which a local government expert said that most of the people that handled waste management issues at the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, were not waste management professionals but health professionals.
According to the speaker, this has contributed to the failure to address the sanitation problems, especially at the local level.
These health professionals who have been tasked to oversee waste management are only occupied with the health related dangers but have no clue on the issues at hand.
I felt very sad and found it disturbing as to why people without professional training in waste management is given responsibilities in a field alien to him.
Waste management involves a lot of processes, including segmentation of waste products as well as recycling.
Employers must know that waste management professionals at the local level was important as it helps making decisions ton how to combat it.
This is not a problem at the local government level alone. It is something across the various sectors.
Maybe this is the time for us as a country to start recruiting qualified professionals to occupy their respective fields to bring their competence to the table to solve whatever problem persist.
It is clearly a case of putting ‘square pegs in round holes.’ I believe it is about time we change that narrative and employ professionals who are qualified to find solutions to our waste management conundrum.
Baba Hafiz, Kasoa
