Empowering communities with life-saving CPR and AED training

August 20, 2023
IHH Healthcare Malaysia ("IHH") announced today the launch of the 'Ready For You' campaign, which focuses on empowering individuals with critical life-saving skills for effective emergency medical care and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Under this initiative, IHH is committed to offering complimentary CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training to 1,000 employees across diverse service sectors, including private clinics, insurance, education, banking, hospitality and e-hailing. The goal is to cultivate a larger number of first responders within these essential consumer-facing industries.

Jean-François Naa, CEO of IHH Healthcare Malaysia, emphasized, "As a prominent healthcare provider in Malaysia, we have the resources to address medical emergencies through our emergency departments and experienced medical professionals. Yet, certain situations require immediate action before the arrival of ambulance services and paramedics."

"By equipping more individuals within our communities with CPR and AED expertise, we enhance the likelihood of rapid and accurate intervention, which significantly impacts the chances of saving lives."

To complement this campaign, the public can access a First Aid eBook containing crucial advice for managing basic medical emergencies. This eBook is available on the websites of Gleneagles, Pantai, and Prince Court Medical Centre.

In a pioneering move, Malaysia now boasts a hands-on CPR kiosk, a first of its kind, designed to educate the public on CPR techniques. These interactive kiosks will be strategically placed within selected IHH hospitals and partner locations.

Emergency medical care
Dr Jeewadas Baladas, a Consultant Emergency Physician at IHH, acknowledges the evolution of emergency medical care throughout history. However, it was only in the late 20th century that structured emergency care gained prominence. The term "emergency," derived from the Latin word "emergere," underscores the need for immediate attention to unforeseen situations.

The emergency department, once known as the casualty or accident center, has evolved into the modern A&E or ED, catering to acute illnesses and injuries across all age groups. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), established by Dr John Wiegenstein in 1972, played a pivotal role in formalizing emergency medicine. Today, A&E stands as a specialized domain staffed by skilled professionals who adhere to national and international guidelines, aligning with IHH Healthcare's practices.

"At IHH Healthcare, our commitment centers on safeguarding global communities' well-being. We uphold the highest medical standards, continuously updating our A&E with evidence-based practices. Our specialized A&E integrates diverse capabilities, including highly trained emergency providers, cutting-edge facilities and 24/7 access to specialists."

"Our dedication begins even before patients reach our hospital, with skilled paramedics and ambulance services ensuring swift out-of-hospital care. Timely emergency care outside the hospital environment is pivotal in optimizing clinical outcomes."

First aid knowledge
This brings us to the heart of the 'Ready for You' Campaign. The initiative empowers individuals, especially first responders, with vital life-saving skills and essential first aid knowledge. This empowers individuals to confidently respond during medical emergencies, potentially saving lives.

CPR, a widely recognized acronym, stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation—a foundational life-saving procedure with the potential to turn the tide in critical scenarios like cardiac arrest. CPR facilitates vital blood circulation throughout the body, notably the brain, and back to the heart.

Significantly, a large portion of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home, underscoring the possibility of saving someone close to us through CPR.

The Pan Asian Resuscitation Outcomes Study (Paros), involving the Ministry of Health (MOH) and cited by Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, reported that among sampled out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases in Malaysia from 2009 to 2012, 47% had eyewitnesses, 23% received bystander CPR, and a mere 8% reached the hospital.

A study by the American Heart Association (AHA) found that patients who received CPR for 9.3 minutes had a functional recovery rate of 74.1%, while those receiving CPR for 16.1 minutes showed an 89.7% functional recovery rate. Optimal resuscitation success lies within the first 10 to 15 minutes, peaking at 75%. After 15 minutes, the likelihood of successful recovery drops to around 2%.

This campaign's potential impact lies in imparting CPR knowledge and skills to the public, heightening the chances of patient survival until professional medical aid arrives. With increased public education on CPR, the likelihood of immediate response when someone experiences cardiac arrest rises significantly. Together, let's make a difference in our community.

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