The Edo State Government has presented graduation certificates to the second batch of 42 newly trained community-based first responders, as part of efforts to strengthen the State’s emergency response team.
The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samuel Ali, presented the certificates to the graduates, at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), in Benin City, Edo State capital.
The Commissioner said the community-based first responders were trained in emergency services to administer first aid and care to victims in their various communities before the arrival of an ambulance.
He explained that “this is part of efforts by Governor Godwin Obaseki to revamp the health sector for enhanced service delivery. The State Government is presenting these certificates of graduation to 42 community-based first responders who have been co-opted into the State’s emergency response team. This is the second batch to receive such.”
Earlier, in his remark, the Provost of the Edo School of Nursing, Prof. Patricia Ukagwes said “Edo State has keyed into the gesture” commending Governor Godwin Obaseki for the development.”
According to Prof. Ukagwes, “We want to thank Governor Godwin Obaseki for ensuring Edo keyed into the system of training first responders to provide care for those that need it before help comes. This development is good and welcoming.
“I want to advise all the graduands to count themselves lucky to be part of the responders and warn them never to see themselves or equate themselves with medical doctors or nurses but first aiders and caregivers.”
On their part, the graduands expressed appreciation to the Edo State Government for the opportunity of the training and promised to live up to their responsibilities.
With the development, a total of 180 students have now been trained and graduated as community-based first respondents by the State Government. The first batch were earlier trained and graduated in February 2023.
