US hospital tragedy highlights Ghana’s first aid crisis
On the 14th of May, 2020, Andrea Morris, a US nurse practitioner, experienced a life-altering event. Andrea, a single mother, reported to work with symptoms that seemed like COVID-19. After complaining to her colleagues about what felt like a sudden in her heart rate, she went into cardiac arrest. Tragically, her colleagues failed to recognize that her heart stopped beating, and they did not intervene until it was late. As a result, Andrea’s brain went without oxygen for too long, leading to irreversible damage and leaving her paralyzed from the neck down.
Cardiac arrest is a global health crisis, claiming millions of lives each year. According to the World Health Organization, over 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals annually. The survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests is dismally low, primarily due to the lack of immediate and effective first aid. First aid is a critical intervention that can prevent death and disabilities such as Andrea’s paralysis by providing timely assistance before professional medical help arrives. The importance of first aid cannot be overstated; it is a vital skill that can make the difference between life and death.
Friedrich von Esmarch, a German nobleman and surgeon, is credited with pioneering the concept of first aid. His contributions have saved countless lives through techniques that remain essential to this day. Von Esmarch’s legacy is a testament to the profound impact that first-aid knowledge can have on society. His work underscores the necessity of equipping ordinary people with the skills to respond to medical emergencies. Yet, more than 120 years later, there are millions of people like Andrea who do not receive timely first aid.
I wish I could say that Andrea’s situation would have been different in Ghana as just a few years ago, a university student lost their life in a swimming pool accident, despite the presence of numerous onlookers. This heartbreaking incident highlights the critical importance of first aid knowledge and the devastating consequences of its absence. In many developing countries, including Ghana, prehospital emergency medical services are limited, leaving a significant gap in emergency care. To address this, it is crucial to increase the involvement of ordinary people in providing first aid.
Education on the role of bystanders in prehospital care in Ghana is limited. Given the challenges faced by the country’s emergency medical services system, laypersons with first aid skills can be a valuable asset in providing timely assistance to victims of medical emergencies. Empowering individuals to take action in emergencies can improve outcomes for victims and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. Knowledge of first aid among healthcare professionals such as Andrea’s colleagues is paramount but it is even more critical among non-healthcare professionals since most emergency situations do not happen in a hospital setting.
Ghanaian law mandates first aid provisions in workplaces. The Factories, Offices, and Shops Act of 1970 requires all workplaces to have at least one first aid kit and a designated first aid person for every 150 employees. However, the effectiveness of these provisions depends on the knowledge and preparedness of the individuals responsible for administering first aid. Despite legal requirements, first aid compliance in Ghanaian workplaces remains inadequate. This gap in compliance underscores the need for comprehensive first aid training programs that go beyond mere legal mandates.
Some may argue that investing in widespread first aid training is costly and logistically challenging. However, the cost of not knowing how to respond to emergencies is immeasurable. The potential to save lives and reduce the burden on the healthcare system far outweighs the initial investment in training. Moreover, community-based training programs can be implemented in a cost-effective manner, utilizing local resources and expertise. By addressing these concerns, we can create a robust first aid training infrastructure that benefits everyone.
As we celebrate World First Aid Day on September 14th, let us make a conscious effort to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to become first responders in our workplaces and households. By doing so, we can not only save lives but also create a safer and more compassionate society. The tragic case of Andrea Morris and the Ghanaian university student serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for first aid training. Let us honour their memory by taking action to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that no one has to suffer due to a lack of first aid knowledge.
The writer is a medical student enrolled in the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) at the University of Ghana Medical School.