Evaluation of the Preparedness and Responses for Medical Emergencies in Edo State
Abstract:
This article helps evaluate the
preparedness and response to medical emergencies within the Edo State
healthcare system. Having a functional emergency medical response could reduce deaths
in low and middle-income countries by about 25%. This entails efficient
pre-hospital care, functional ambulance services, a prompt and designated
emergency call centre and number, trained first responders, efficient
transportation to a ready healthcare facility, and more. This study was conducted
in the three senatorial regions of Edo State. The study design was
cross-sectional, with data collected via a semi-structured questionnaire. Five
hundred and twenty-four people were sampled in the research, and the analysis
was conducted using SPSS software. The research revealed that three-quarters of
the participants have no available call centre and/or call number in their
location. More than four-fifths of the respondents reported having no ambulance
services and no available Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in their
localities. Two-thirds of the participants are unable to carry out CPR, and
only about one–fourth had training in CPR in the last two years. To have an
effective preparedness and prompt response to medical emergencies, the
following are recommended: 1. The government needs to set up a functional
emergency response centre in every Local Government Area. 2. The government
should provide functional ambulance vehicles and position them in
strategic locations across the state. 3. The training of the first responders
should be prioritized to shorten response time.
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