The Kaduna Maternal Accountability Mechanism (KADMAM) has called on the Kaduna State Government to introduce Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training into the school curriculum.
Co-Chair of KADMAM, Garba Mohammed, made the appeal on Friday during a media sensitization programme organized by the Michael and David Alao Memorial Emergency Preparedness (M&DAMEP) in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and KADMAM.
Mohammed said the campaign aimed to strengthen accountability and improve emergency services provided by the state government. He stressed that several avoidable deaths in the past highlighted the need to partner with the media to raise awareness of early medical intervention.
“The media are the mirror of society, and sensitizing them means sensitizing the public. We are teaching journalists techniques for administering emergency support, especially CPR, to persons in distress,” he said.
He added that introducing CPR into schools would enable thousands of secondary school students to acquire lifesaving first-aid skills and nurture a generation equipped to respond during medical emergencies.
“CPR equips people with the ability to provide immediate care during emergencies. Learning basic first-aid skills gives young people the confidence to step in and help someone in need — and in extreme cases, it can save a life,” Mohammed said. He urged the government to adopt the initiative to build a culture where lifesaving skills become common and instinctive. “If every school leaver is trained in CPR, the impact on survival rates and community resilience will be immeasurable,” he added.
Speaking at the event, Dr Euphemia Ugu, a CPR trainer, explained that the goal of CPR is to keep oxygen circulating through the lungs and body, delaying tissue death. She noted that prompt action by bystanders significantly increases a victim’s chance of survival and helps prevent permanent brain damage caused by insufficient blood flow.
Dr Oduma Lazarus, Head of Training at the Kaduna State Emergency Ambulance Services (KADSEMSAS), said the service was established to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery and ensure timely access to life-saving interventions. He added that KADSEMSAS operates a toll-free emergency line to ensure swift ambulance deployment, particularly for maternal, neonatal, and accident-related emergencies. He further noted that the first 48 hours of emergency care are provided free, especially for pregnant women, children, and accident victims.
Earlier, NUJ Kaduna Chairman, Abdulgafar Alabelewe, urged journalists to use the knowledge gained from the training to educate residents, emphasizing that emergencies can occur at any time.
“A lot of lives have been lost due to poor emergency response. When people know the right steps to take, more lives can be saved,” he said.
Gideon Akintade, Secretary of M&DAMEP, said the sensitization campaign aimed to equip journalists with the skills needed to respond effectively during emergencies.
