First American Specialist Medical Center holds two-day first aid training

By Rebecca Ampah

First American Specialist Medical Center has successfully organized a two-day intensive first aid training programme from Wednesday, July 16 to Thursday, July 17, 2025. The training, designed to equip participants with practical lifesaving skills, took place on the first day at the premises of the hospital and continued on the second day at Ahmadiyya Mission Ghana, Osu.

The training was moderated by Yasmine Yuossif, assisted by a team of experienced health professionals from the centre.

Participants were taken through several life-saving procedures and best practices in emergency care. A key emphasis was placed on the importance of hands-only CPR to minimize the risk of infection, especially in public or unregulated environments. Attendees were taught that when using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), the device provides step-by-step instructions, enabling even untrained individuals to assist during cardiac emergencies.

The sessions covered various emergency scenarios, including airway obstructions in adults where firm abdominal thrusts are required, and pediatric CPR, where the use of hands or fingers depends on the size of the child. For babies experiencing choking, caregivers were advised to tilt the infant downward and alternate between five back blows and five chest thrusts.

On bleeding control, participants were instructed to apply firm pressure on wounds and use a tourniquet if bleeding persists. The tourniquet should be applied above the wound and tightened until the bleeding stops, followed by immediate hospital referral. Proper hygiene during first aid procedures was stressed to prevent infections.

Gunshot wounds were discussed extensively. Trainees were advised to apply pressure to both entry and exit wounds and told that stuffing should only be attempted on arms or legs, not the abdomen, to avoid complications. Amputee care focused on covering the individual with a blanket and elevating the injured part.

Other topics included:

• Heat emergencies: victims should be laid in a cool place, legs elevated, given salted drinks or cold water, and treated with wet or cold packs.
• Bee stings and insect bites: remove the stinger, wash with soap and water, apply a cold compress for 10–20 minutes, and seek hospital care if reactions occur.
• Snake bites: keep the victim lying down with the wound below heart level, apply a pressure bandage, and transport to hospital immediately.
• Eviscerations: avoid touching internal organs, cut away clothing carefully, keep the area clean, and manage shock while awaiting medical attention.
• Broken bones: keep the injured person still, do not forcefully straighten the limb, and use soft gauze and a straight object to immobilize the joint before transporting to a hospital.

Participants commended the organisers for the training, saying it had impacted them positively.

The training concluded with a commitment from the facilitators to organise more community-centred programmes aimed at promoting public health awareness and emergency preparedness.

More Stories Here