Mbabane – Twenty-four EmaSwati have received first aid training certificates on Sunday at Makholokholo Ward 2 as the local government ward is among the communities modelling the offering of healthcare skills that are limited among professional health workers.
The training was facilitated by the Eswatini Resuscitation Council (ERC) with Bhekani Mlotsa, its director stating that they want to avoid unnecessary loss of life.
“The ERC has previously had the opportunity to train nurses and doctors with healthcare short courses,” Mlotsa said. 
The emergency responders were taken through scene assessment, assistance of the unconscious, bleeding control and offering first aid support among emergency response techniques and resuscitation skills.
Mlotsa also said through their community out-reach programme, similar trainings have been offered in the communities targeting training women, such as in Malkerns, as well as collaborative private companies.
Ordinary citizens, in everyday corners, be it in the public vicinity or private spaces, could be the much needed saving a life help, with Mlotsa adding that the ERC vision is to at least have one citizen in each household trained as emergency responders capable of offering first aid.
Anyone, especially patients with terminal conditions, including non-communicable diseases, may need help anytime, anywhere.
“Some people have hypertension, some epileptic while others are diabetic,” he said.
The Municipal Council of Mbabane representatives welcomed the service calling for an uptake of the services offered by ERC.
The community engagement initiative is being expanded to chiefdoms, schools, and workplaces, among other places, with the ERC opening up booking lines. Interested parties are urged to call the ERC on +26876953880.
