IN support of the global Restart a Heart Day campaign, the National St John Ambulance Service conducted free, one-hour CPR and AED awareness sessions for workplaces across Port Moresby.
Between September 27 and October 29, more than 200 participants from 15 workplaces, along with members from the Corporate Basketball Competition, seized the chance to learn essential CPR skills.
Cardiovascular disease poses a serious public health challenge, with contributing factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity on the rise.
This trend in lifestyle-related illnesses in Papua New Guinea likely correlates with an increase in sudden cardiac arrest incidents.
Unfortunately, when bystanders are untrained or unsure of how to respond, delayed CPR often results in tragic outcomes.
The campaign’s awareness sessions, led by the National St John Ambulance Service, focused on equipping participants with life-saving responses for emergencies involving a collapsed person who is not breathing. These sessions emphasized vital first aid skills, including performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Restart a Heart Day (October 16) is a global initiative spearheaded by the European Resuscitation Council and coordinated locally in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea through the Council of Ambulance Authorities (Australasia). The aim is to educate the public on how to administer CPR, use public-access defibrillators, and increase awareness of cardiovascular health.
This year’s participating organizations included the PNG Chamber of Resources & Energy, NWTL Group, World Bank Group, Pacific Star Limited (The National), National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA), Marie Stopes Papua New Guinea, BSP Capital, ANZ PNG, Consort Express Lines, Colony Group, NCSL, DT Global, and ABC Media Development Initiative.
The National St John Ambulance Service extends its gratitude to all organizations and individuals who supported and participated in this year’s Restart a Heart campaign.
