Iraqi police, fire, and traffic brigades are widening the scope of their ability to protect the residents of Thi Qar, a Governate in Southern Iraq. Working in conjunction with Nasiriyah General Hospital, International Medical Corps has planned and implemented a CPR training program to equip brigades with life saving techniques to use when they are in the field.
The reconstruction of Iraqi civil society is taking time—and in a city where the war ravaged the infrastructure and left public institutions in chaos, Iraqis are picking up the pieces and working day and night to improve conditions in their beloved country.
CPR training is proving to be a huge success— with brigades expressing excitement at the possibility of using their hands to save lives. Brigade members signed on for the training and have dedicated time and energy to learning these fundamental techniques.
“I will try to save someone’s life with CPR if I can…I now have the knowledge,” police officer Emad Farouk told International Medical Corps.
With over 300 men working in each of the sectors, International Medical Corps nurse Methina is hoping that the men who learn it will then make use of the information and initiate their own training programs.
For over 12 years Iraqi health and public service professionals have been starving for information, training, and the equipment necessary to carry out their duties. Many of the individuals who attended the CPR brigade training had not received more than a high school education.
CPR training was welcomed warmly by these men, as have all of International Medical Corps’ training programs—from emergency room methodologies, maternal and child heath care, water and sanitation practices, and primary health care centers.
Initially, some of the men expressed hesitation about practicing their new CPR moves on the dummy at the front of the room. When International Medical Corps Nurse Methina opened the floor to the technique, there was a moment of shy silence.
Program Coordinator Kirstie Campbell leaped to the rescue, and approached the CPR dummy with determination. “Right….I am going to save this man’s life. Who is going to help me?” she asked.
A show of hands flew in the air and the shy atmosphere became a charged affair. As one police officer gingerly approached the CPR dummy, he cupped the head and elevated it delicately.
With ease he performed the necessary resuscitation steps and proudly stepped back as the class clapped in appreciation.
International Medical Corps will continue assisting with CPR training at the Nasiriyah General Hospital, a program that is well on its way to becoming a fully self sustaining operation.
The International Medical Corps Nasiriyah team is proud to assist the community in strengthening their health systems, and this is only a small step in the great strides that have been taken to assist in the reconstruction of a healthy and happy Iraq.