Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and St. Luke’s Medical Center Foundation, Inc. (SLMCFI) have teamed up to equip DSWD social workers and frontliners with basic life-saving skills. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and SLMCFI President Dr. Benjamin S.A. Campomanes, in a simple ceremony at the DSWD Central Office in Batasan, Quezon City on Wednesday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation of Basic Life Support (BLS) for Bystanders Training Program as part of the National Disaster Resilience Month. Gatchalian expressed his gratitude to the SLMCFI and noted that the training program can be expanded to social workers in the regions and to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). He recognized the crucial role of bystanders or non-medical practitioners as one of the first responders during emergency situations, He said 4Ps beneficiaries are being monitored by City Links and Municipal Links, who, in turn, also conduct Family Development Sessions. He said the City Links and Municipal Links ‘can incorporate Basic Life Support in the 4Ps (FDS).’ ‘What you can do there is train the City Links and Municipal Links. They are the leaders and they would be the ones to cascade during FDS,’ he added. Relatively, Campomanes said their foundation looks forward to the expansion of the partnership with the DSWD. ‘This collaboration signifies our shared commitment to creating a more prepared and resilient society by empowering individuals and communities with life-saving skills,’ he said. Through the BLS for Bystanders Training Program, partners from SLMCFI will train DSWD social workers and frontliners to equip them with vital knowledge and skills necessary for assessing emergencies, stabilizing victims’ conditions, and providing initial care until professional medical assistance arrives. It aims to increase bystander response rates in emergency situations; enhance community resilience by creating a network of trained bystanders; and promote public awareness and education on the importance of bystander intervention and BLS techniques. ‘Together, we aim to create a network of trained responders who can truly make a difference in emergency situations. We firmly believe that through our joint efforts with DSWD, we can enhance community resilience and save more lives. This ceremonial signing marks the beginning of a journey toward a safer and more prepared society. We look forward to the positive impact we will create together,’ Campomanes said. Initially, two training sessions will be conducted for 90 DSWD personnel. The participants will receive certificates of completion at the end of the training program.

Source: Philippines News Agency