BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) presented certificates of accreditation to 18 first aid instructors who have completed the emergency aid course conducted by the BDRCS Academy at the Lecture Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium yesterday.

The certification programme was held for the first time by BDRCS after its training centre, established in 2013, received recognition from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The participants of the course are now recognised as certified instructors and registered with the IFRC.

On hand to present the certificates of accreditation to the participants was Minister of Health Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Adanan said first aid procedures in response to first treatment is not a substitute for emergency services but it is highly needed as a first response that can improve one’s chances of survival before treatment is performed by qualified medical professionals.

The minister said various courses on emergency aid have been held by the Ministry of Health through its National Resuscitation Centre.

From 2010 to 2014, the National Resuscitation Centre had conducted more than 50 first aid courses anually, participated by some 1,600 to 1,800 people.

The courses, he explained, included Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) classes for government agencies, private sector and non-governmental organisations.

This programme also supports the development of capacity and skills in providing first aid in response to those requiring immediate treatment, he said.

As first aid skills can contribute to the building of a stronger community, YB Pehin Dato Hj Adanan underscored the importance of promoting emergency aid courses and enhancing its accessibility so that more people will be able to learn, practice and manage an emergency first aid situation.

Secretary General at the National Council of BDRCS Sheikh Hj Abdulkadir Abdullah said the BDRCS has received many requests from both government agencies and the private sector to provide basic first aid training programmes in various syllabus and modules.

The BDRCS will also provide first aid training programme in the community starting next year. They will also introduce the safe school programme with the BDRCS youth cadet.

Sheikh Hj Abdulkadir said that BDRCS will try to get its training centre equipped with comprehensive training and learning facilities.

BDRCS will, for the first time, attend and become a panel member at the Asia Pacific First Aid Conference in Hong Kong in November, he added.

The Brunei Times