My bill on mandatory CPR, first aid training scales first reading - Nwoko

Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has successfully passed the first reading of his bill that seeks to make training in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use mandatory in Nigeria. The proposed legislation, titled 'Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Provide for Mandatory First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Automated External Defibrillator Training and the Adoption of Good Samaritan Laws, 2024,' aims to integrate emergency response training and legal protections for bystanders into the nation's constitutional framework.

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The bill proposes an amendment to Section 17(3) of the Constitution to include provisions mandating life-saving training and the nationwide adoption of Good Samaritan Laws which protect individuals who assist victims in emergencies from legal liability.

According to Senator Nwoko, the bill proposes an amendment to Section 17(3) of the Constitution. This amendment would mandate life-saving training nationwide and promote the adoption of Good Samaritan Laws. These laws are designed to protect individuals who provide assistance to victims in emergencies from potential legal liability.

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The legislation highlighted the growing number of deaths resulting from sudden cardiac arrest in homes, public places, workplaces and transportation hubs, often worsened by the absence of immediate intervention.

The senator highlighted the increasing number of deaths resulting from sudden cardiac arrest in various settings, including homes, public places, and workplaces. He noted that these fatalities are often exacerbated by the absence of immediate intervention. Furthermore, Nwoko pointed out that bystanders are frequently hesitant to offer help due to a lack of knowledge and fear of legal repercussions.

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The senator said that the introduction of structured training in CPR, AED and first aid, facilitated by certified Emergency First Response (EFR) instructors, would significantly improve survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

By introducing structured training in CPR, AED, and first aid, facilitated by certified instructors, the bill aims to significantly improve survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. This early intervention is crucial before professional medical help can arrive. The legislation also emphasizes that with the legal backing of "Good Samaritan" protections, citizens will be more encouraged to act promptly in emergencies without fear of prosecution, thereby strengthening the community's overall public health response capacity.

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This, he said, would ensure early response before professional medical help could arrive.