One-day special CPR course for senior medical officers

From the NST
ALOR STAR, Sun. - A group of doctors, including senior administrators in government hospitals, will spend tomorrow learning to give emergency first aid. The Kedah Health Department ordered this special training session following an incident where doctors at a meeting could not give cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, to a fellow doctor who collapsed.

More than 50 doctors will attend this one-day course to learn the emergency procedure, said sources in the medical fraternity here.

Used to keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain of an unconscious person who has stopped breathing, CPR comprises a technique to massage hearts and mouth- -to-mouth resuscitation.

It is often used on people who may have suffered heart attacks.

This was the first time the department was holding a course specifically for senior medical officials, said a doctor who was required to attend the course.

The department regularly trains paramedic staff, medical assistants and nurses on how to give CPR.

The course the doctors would attend was a basic one, said the doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"It covers theory and practicals and is a basic course.

"It is similar to those given to the public, such as volunteers with the Malaysian Red Crescent and the St John Ambulance."

He said the department realised the need for the course after a man collapsed at a meeting of doctors -turned-administrators here.

"We were told that the group admitted it could not perform CPR on him and called in the paramedics," said the doctor.

The man apparently recovered before the paramedics arrived, and was understandably upset that no one could help him earlier, he said.

The Health Department was doing the right thing, he said.

"It is embarrassing but it is the right move because they are tackling the problem. It should be extended to all medical staff."

The move had not been popular with some doctors asked to attend the course, said a source in an association which works closely with hospitals here.

A number of doctors he spoke to said they felt it beneath them to have to learn CPR again, said the official who also declined to be named.

The course will be held at the Al-Bukhary mosque complex, here.

Health Department officials could not be reached for comment.

Certainly looks like a comical sketch by the Kedah Health Dept and tis senior doctors. Even cartoonist Lat took a swipe at them in his cartoon. Lets hope the CPR course will do soem good for the doctors and the image of the Kedah Health Dept.