A Clinical Laboratory Scientist has called for the inclusion of basic knowledge in first aid and the use of fire extinguishers in the country’s road traffic regulations, to help save lives during road crashes.
Mr Andrew Owusu Baafi, Chief Executive of Premier Diagnostic Laboratory (PDL), at Oforikrom in Kumasi said this should be strictly enforced as a basic requirement for the issuance of a driver’s license.
He said basic knowledge and skills in first aid and fire-fighting for drivers and their mates, was critical and would go a long way to reduce fatalities in the event of accidents.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Oforikrom, he said time had come to ensure that all drivers acquired basic training in life saving skills and emergency response programmes to reduce casualties during road accidents in the country.
Mr Baafi explained that, the country’s driving laws required that first aid boxes and fire extinguishers were provided on a vehicle, but majority of drivers did not know how to use the life-saving kits during emergency situations.
“Since the driving law requires drivers to have First Aid Box and Fire Extinguisher in their vehicles, it will be better for the same law to ensure that drivers know how to provide first Aid to minor injuries that will occur as they are performing their duties as drivers as well as knowing how to combat vehicle fire outbreaks” he advocated.
Mr. Baafi, indicated that, if drivers were given basic training in first aid, it would help drivers to administer first aid treatment to accident victims before they were sent to health facilities for treatment.
He observed that, most people who died during road accidents could be saved if drivers and their mates knew how to administer first aid.
Mr Baafi said the use and proper application of fire extinguishers during emergencies required skills, which most drivers in the country did not have and it was therefore important to train and educate them on the proper handling and use of the kits to reduce deaths on the roads.
He appealed to authorities of driving schools in the country to introduce first Aid training and fire extinguisher usage in their courses to help equip drivers with life-savings skills.
Joe Bright Nyarko
Journalist/Communication Researcher. Environment & Sustainability Advocate. Managing Editor of aptnewsghana.com, a non-profit news portal with bias towards environment and sustainability issues, rural development policies and gender & inequality.
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