By Mohamed Foday Conteh
The head of communication for the Sierra Leone Life Saving Society, Cecilia Alice Sesay has said that her organization will join the Royal Life Saving Society, UK and other groups from different regions in a 48 hour Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) challenge.
She told Politico that the society has been working towards drowning prevention and adherence to other aquatic safety guidelines. She also disclosed they have been working towards achieving that goal with international partners like the International Life Saving Federation, Royal Life Saving Society and International Maritime Rescue Federation. She also noted that the Ministries of Sports and Lands have been their key local partners.
She spoke about their intention to expand to the provinces, since parts of the country are along the Atlantic Ocean. She said that the CPR challenge will help them gain the necessary recognition for partnership with other organisations.
She spoke about their outreach programmes including training of fishermen on safety measures at sea. This, she said, has provided the necessary knowledge needed by the fishermen on the proper use of fishing tools and safety gadgets at sea.
Nurse Hikimatu Akanke Hassan, Secretary-General for the Society said it is the first time their organization is participating in the CPR Challenge. She stated that the online program to be held on the 29th and 30th September this year, is expected to enhance their experience as an organisation especially on the use of advanced CPR tools. She said they will gain more knowledge in handling tools for oxygen saturation and ventilation.
Nurse Hassan said that they have been collaborating with other ‘liked-minded organisations’ in Sierra Leone such as the Maritime Rescue Federation and National Tourists Board (NTB). She maintained that the challenge will focus not only on CPR but also on cardiovascular diseases and lifeguard skills.
She said that a total of 12 regions will participate in the challenge with Sierra Leone to represent the entire West Africa while Egypt, Rwanda and South Africa will represent the North, East and Southern regions of Africa, respectively.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (06/09/21)
