The event coincided with World First Aid Day commemorations which is marked in the second week of October annually. This year’s event was held under the theme ‘First Aid and Sport’, and featured various teams demonstrating essential lifesaving first aid skills.
The event was aimed at promoting first aid knowledge and preparedness in communities, particularly in the context of sports and physical activities.
Addressing the gathering, Abdoulie Faye, director of programs and operations at the Gambia Red Cross Society, reminded that first aid has saved many lives worldwide.
He noted that in The Gambia, many lives were saved especially those who nearly lost their lives, thanks to timely first aid intervention.
Faye thus encouraged partners, especially the Ministry of Sports to ensure that all sports associations and organisations have well-trained personnel on first aid to safeguard the lives of those involved in sports.
Sheriffo Mboge, a youth volunteer management officer at GRCS, emphasised the importance of training youth in first aid, particularly in the context of sports, aligning with this year’s theme.
Mboge revealed that 16 certified national tutors were actively involved in the initiative and urged local partners including the Gambia Fire and Rescue Services, The Gambia Police, The Gambia Immigration Department and local councils to consider hiring trained youth volunteers equipped with essential skills in disaster response, psychological support and migration issues.
Also speaking, Musa Baldeh, branch officer of the Banjul Red Cross Society, pointed out that one of the goals of the GRCS and the International Red Cross Federation is to bring first aid to every household.
“That is why we select volunteers from different regions and train them in first aid,” he added.
