JOHOR LAUNCHES 'CPR RESCURER IN HOME' PLAN

By HAMDAN RAJA ABDULLAH
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

TANGKAK: Johor wants every household to have a family member who can give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in case of an emergency.

Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the basic life-saving skill was important to save those having sudden heart attacks, drowning and choking, and can even be used in road accidents.

Speaking to reporters here yesterday, he said Health Ministry statistics showed that more than 60% of deaths due to heart attacks happened at home and not in hospitals.

Life-saving skill: Ghani conducting CPR on a mannequin to launch the state's 'CPR for the community' programme in Tangkak yesterday. Looking on are Dr Robia (left), Johor Health Department director Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub (third from left) and Ledang MP Hamim Samuri (second from right).

“We want every household in the state to have one rescuer who knows how to conduct CPR, and in doing so can save a life.

“We are grateful to the state Health Department for launching the 'CPR for the community' programme where every home has one rescuer,” he said when launching it yesterday.

Ghani said that besides CPR, the people should focus on looking after their health as modern living and lifestyles had several negative impacts.

He said it was now common for people to suffer from hypertension, heart problems and diabetes, although they enjoyed a good standard of living.

Earlier, state Women, Family, Health and Community Development Committee chairman Dr Robia Kosai said the CPR programme would be promoted among all non-governmental organisations and schools in Johor.

She said the skill would be an asset to the public during emergencies and the department would extend the programme to all villages and communities in Johor.

SOURCE: THE STAR, SUNDAY MAY 16, 2010