A senior official from the Institute of Medicine, Biology and Agriculture at the Royal Academy of Cambodia has emphasised the importance of basic first aid knowledge, both for members of the public and private institutions.
These essential skills do not require extensive medical training and are highly beneficial, said institute president Nuth Sambath.
He proposed the establishment of a team of trained instructors to teach basic skills, noting that the training would be invaluable as the risk of injuries is unpredictable.
“Instructing every institution within each ministry would be highly beneficial. It would equip them with essential skills like CPR and injury handling,” he told The Post on September 11.
He noted that first aid knowledge among the general public, as well as many businesses, remains limited. During traffic accidents, for instance, it is not uncommon to witness people approaching the injured, inadvertently endangering their lives.
“I believe our citizens have a lower level of first aid awareness than many neighbouring countries,” he said.
This past weekend, the Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) hosted a World First Aid Day event with the theme “First Aid in the Digital Age” at Aeon Mall 3.
According to a September 10 CRC statement, CRC secretary-general Pum Chanty Ny pointed out that first aid knowledge is crucial for everyone, as it provides a foundation for assisting family and community members who experience common accidents and injuries.
“These risks include conditions such as obstructed breathing, fractures, drowning, and any other accidents that may occur. It is important to be able to provide help before medical assistance arrives or while transporting a victim to the hospital,” she explained.
“World First Aid Day aims to educate and raise awareness among the public regarding the vital importance of first aid,” she added.
She said it plays a critical role in saving lives before ambulance services arrive, and aligns with the CRC’s 2021-30 strategy, which envisions at least one person in each family, as well as selected individuals within public and private institutions, having a comprehensive understanding of first aid.
