Health Emergency Initiative (HEI) has achieved a significant milestone with the Ministry of Education’s five-year approval to train secondary school students in Lagos State in emergency response and prehospital care.
This landmark decision follows the success of a one-year pilot programme, during which HEI demonstrated the transformative impact of equipping students with life-saving first responder skills.
A New Era for Emergency Response Education
The approval marks a pivotal step towards integrating first responder and prehospital care training into the curriculum of secondary schools across Lagos State. It ensures that schools and supervising districts actively support and participate in these life-changing training programmes.
Transforming Lives Through Lifesaving Skills
Speaking on the achievement, Paschal Achunine, Executive Director of HEI, highlighted the programme’s potential to reshape Nigeria’s emergency response system:
“This approval is a game-changer in our efforts to ensure that no life is lost due to a lack of immediate response during emergencies. By equipping secondary school students with essential first aid and prehospital care skills, we are not only saving lives but also creating a generation of informed and proactive citizens.”Key Features of the Initiative
• First Responders Clubs: The programme includes the establishment of clubs in schools to foster long-term knowledge retention and transfer among students and teachers.
• Impact Amplification: Each trained participant is expected to train 50 additional people within 60 days, significantly extending the programme’s reach.
• Engaging Competitions: The initiative will also organise debates, quizzes, and essay competitions to raise awareness and promote advocacy for emergency preparedness.
Building a Culture of Readiness
“Our vision is to embed a culture of first response readiness in Nigeria,” Achunine added. “By integrating these skills into the school curriculum and engaging students through competitions, we are creating a sustainable model for emergency response education in the country.”
Commitment to Saving Lives
HEI’s efforts align with its unwavering mantra: “None should die.” This approval strengthens its resolve to bridge critical gaps in Nigeria’s emergency health landscape, ensuring a safer and more prepared society.
