As-Salam-o-Alaikum Dear Readers,

In our today’s post we will highlight the importance of first aid to be taught at young age. Without wanting to sound pessimistic, it would seem we are not a nation particularly convinced with first aid knowledge and planning for precautionary measures. The Sindh, South Punjab and KPK is again hit with floods and our political system has already called UN for donations and rehabilitation services and funds.

There is no data available to say categorically how much of Pakistani adults know the basics of first aid and would feel confident enough to act in an emergency situation. This should be the grave concern for policy makers and disaster management authorities.

It should also be noted that some valuable efforts were made by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in conducting seminars & workshops to raise an awareness among the communities, university students, and at some levels to schools as well. But we think this is not enough at the moment and there is a reason to hope that – with the right encouragement – future generations might turn out to be a little better equipped to deal with sudden disastrous situations.

New research shows that young children are able to learn and remember simple first aid and risk management skills that could make a crucial difference in an emergency. Henceforth, we should focus more often and rigorously to build this culture. That’s why First Aid to Save a Life recently launched a special school safety program.

This is the reason why First Aid to Save a Life (FATSAL) Pakistan think that first aid education to become part of the school curriculum. Almost every fifth of European country have already made first aid education compulsory in schools and Pakistan can take lead in Asia, if they do so. We need political will to make this happens and parents and teachers will also appreciate this initiative.

To Your Success and Safety,

Faisal Javed Mir