Health Ministry Urges Ugandans to Learn Basic Emergency Response Skills

The Ministry of Health has lauded Jefrat Health Hub Ltd for its efforts in raising public awareness and teaching essential emergency response skills, a move aimed at bolstering Uganda's emergency medical services. Dr. John Baptist Waniaye Nambohe, Commissioner for Emergency Medical Services, officially launched a community emergency medical awareness campaign led by Jefrat Health Hub in collaboration with various emergency response stakeholders.

“

Communities need to be equipped with basic emergency response skills so that they can take the right action before professional medical help arrives.

This initiative seeks to provide the general public with fundamental knowledge on how to react to emergencies such as road accidents, fires, and other situations requiring immediate action before medical professionals can intervene. The campaign is actively reaching out to communities in high-traffic areas, including markets and other public spaces across the country.

Commissioner Nambohe stressed the importance of prioritizing safety and discipline as the campaign grows. He highlighted the significant role the public can play in the initial stages of an emergency. "Communities need to be equipped with basic emergency response skills so that they can take the right action before professional medical help arrives," Nambohe stated. He also advocated for wider distribution of ambulance contact numbers and increased public knowledge of available emergency medical services. Nambohe further proposed the creation of a National EMS Hour to serve as a dedicated platform for educating citizens on emergency medical services and appropriate responses.

“

We need to take this initiative to different parts of the country so that more Ugandans can benefit from emergency medical response knowledge and skills.

Jeremiah Kirungi, CEO of Jefrat Health Hub Ltd, explained that the campaign's goal is to help communities understand both emergency prevention and response. He encouraged individuals frequenting busy public places to stay vigilant and learn basic skills to aid victims while awaiting professional responders. Kirungi noted that the campaign was partly inspired by various emergencies affecting communities nationwide, including incidents involving schoolchildren. He also acknowledged the support from organizations like the Uganda Red Cross Society for their contributions to community sensitization and emergency preparedness.

“

We are taking this initiative to different parts of the country because we want communities to understand how they can prevent emergencies and how they can respond quickly when someone is in danger.