Training in first aid held in Al Shamal

The Qatar Red CrescentSociety (QRCS) has launched the third edition of its “I Am a Paramedic”training programme with QR1mn funding from Ras Laffan Community OutreachProgramme (COP).The programme this year aims to provideschoolchildren from 19 schools with first aid training, includingcardiopulmonary resuscitation, suffocation, bleeding, fracture,nosebleed, burn, eye injury, epilepsy, asthma, poisoning, victim movingtechniques, and early trauma intervention.According to QRCS, theprogramme has so far trained 188 students at five Al Shamal schools: AlGhuwairia Primary/Preparatory Girls School, Al Thakhira Primary GirlsSchool, Smeisma Secondary Boys School, Smeisma Preparatory Boys School,and Aldaayen Preparatory Girls School.Noura Rashid al-Dosari, theexecutive director of QRCS’ Volunteering and Local Development Division,said that “I Am a Paramedic” is working for the third year in a row, inco-ordination with the host schools.She added that QRCS is also planning to expand the programme to cover all schools in the region.Describingthe programme’s strategy, specialist medical trainer Daas Qasimexplained: “From our experience in ambulatory and emergency activities,we found that members of the public often interfere wrongly, makingthings worse.”“Sometimes, this may end up causing the death of thevictim. That is why we pay particular attention to training people fromdifferent walks of life in life-saving first aid,” he added. “Among thefundamental skills required for everyone are calling the ambulance,giving clear and accurate information, and taking necessary measures toensure stability of the case until the arrival of specialist medicalhelp.”As the programme’s sponsor, COP promotes first aid training asa pillar of its corporate social responsibility towards the benefit ofvarious social groups.COP, a partnership initiative by the majorbusiness corporations in Ras Laffan Industrial City, wants to reduce theimpact of climate change, hold community-based dialogue, and implementpublic interest projects.