The Department of Anaesthesia, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu, today joined the rest of the world in celebrating this year’s World Anaesthesia Day.
The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists sets aside October 16 every year to recognize the vital role of anaesthesia in eliminating pain during surgical operations.
World Anaesthesia Day is observed globally to commemorate the first successful demonstration of anaesthesia by William T. G. Morton in 1846 an event that revolutionized modern medicine over 170 years ago.
The World Anaesthesia Day is described as powerful advocacy tools to mobilise political will, educate the general public, and reinforce the achievements of the global anaesthesia community.
Anaesthetic Nurse, Malam Aliyu Umar Yusuf of the Federal Medical Center Birnin Kudu said the theme of this year’s event is “Anesthesia in Health Emergencies” hence the need to organize a demonstration on Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation for officers of the Birnin Kudu outpost of the Road Safety Corps in view of the nature of their work.
Demonstrating on basic life support in the cases of cardiac arrest, Doctor Oliwe Augustus Chuks of the Anesthesia department of the Federal Medical Center Birnin Kudu noted that, there are many steps to handle cardio pulmonary problem which include taking safety measures before approaching victim, asking for help, applying on pressure on chest to induce a compression that cause the blood leave the heart and reach the brain, pumping air after covering the mouth with handkerchief to Clear Airways in the case of unconsciousness to restore breathing.
He, however, explained that basic life support skills are not restricted to medical personnel alone, rather people in motor parks, schools and at home should master the art to assisting victims of cardiac arrest or accidents as first aid measure to save life before health workers take over.
In his remark, the Commandant of the Federal Road Safety Corp Birnin Kudu Outpost, Malam Shu’aibu Uba Baba expressed gratitude over the practical demonstration by the Anesthesia Department of the FMC marking this year’s World Anaesthesia Day.
He noted that the demonstration will further improve their skills to handle emergency situations during road accidents, adding that a philanthropist once donated the life saving equipment to the outpost in view of the emergency situations they handle during accidents.
During the demonstration, interactive session was held by the NYSC Road Safety Club and the anaesthetic personnel while some members of the Road Safety Corps and the NYSC club replicated the basic life support skills step by step.
Usman Mohammed Zaria
