In a bold step towards enhancing emergency preparedness at the grassroots level, Lagos State Health District V has commenced the training of frontline community officers on life-saving emergency response skills.
EpeInsights learnt that the two-day training, themed “Training on Life-Saving Skills for First Responders,” was held recently at the Festac Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) Conference Room.
Participants included officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and school teachers, individuals often positioned as first responders in emergencies.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Health District V, Dr. Oladapo Asiyanbi, emphasized the importance of equipping non-medical personnel with critical skills to manage emergency situations before professional help arrives.
“The goal is to ensure that when emergencies occur, whether on our roads or within neighbourhoods, our community officers are not helpless,” he stated.
“They must possess the basic knowledge to stabilise victims and prevent avoidable deaths while waiting for professional medical teams.”
Dr. Asiyanbi underscored the importance of using the state’s emergency toll-free lines—767 and 112—for timely intervention.
He also noted that the training covered essential areas such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), first aid, shock management, identifying danger signs, and ensuring personal safety during emergency care.
He urged participants to become change agents by ‘stepping down’ the training and passing on their newly acquired knowledge to at least 50 individuals in their communities and workplaces.
“Even if the knowledge shared isn’t as technical, it can be the difference between life and death in an emergency,” he said.
Highlighting the broader vision, Dr. Asiyanbi revealed that the programme is the first in a series of community-based emergency preparedness initiatives to be launched by the Health District.
Future training sessions will target religious institutions, community associations, and non-governmental organisations to deepen emergency response capacity across the state.
The initiative, he noted, aligns with the Lagos State Government’s mission to build a health-conscious and responsive citizenry capable of acting decisively in life-threatening situations.
By extending these critical skills to everyday citizens, Health District V is setting a new benchmark for inclusive public health and safety preparedness in Lagos.
