ADMORE MBONDA |  1 year ago | local

THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure is undergoing basic road First Aid training in Kariba, in partnership with Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS), Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), and Harare City fire department.

Chairperson of the parliamentary committee Hon Oscar Gorerino emphasized the importance of the training workshop, that it will work in curbing road traffic accidents and carnages. He said: "Statistics collected over the past few years from both developing and developed countries have indicated that loss of lives as a result of road traffic accidents can be reduced if the first responders to the scenes are properly equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of First Aid rendering to correctly and safely handle the intense but stressful situations at accident scenes."

He applauded all the partners and stakeholders for erecting a tailor-made First Aid course for road users on accident response that could be beneficial to parliamentarians and the country at large. This training is aimed at equipping learners and certified drivers, crew members, and passengers with First Aid knowledge, skills, and attitudes as a component of Disaster Risk Management on Zimbabwe's roads. 

"This, we are certain, will reduce the number of accident-related disabilities as well as deaths in worst-case scenarios on our roads due to late First Aid rendering to the injured," said Hon Gorerino.

The legislator reiterated the ever-increasing number of vehicles, road traffic accidents, and the lack of First Aid knowledge, skills, and attitudes within the motoring public had prompted the ZRCS to come up with the unique First Aid training program.

ZRCS secretary-general, Mr. Elias Hwenga said he was delighted to be part of the pioneer project aimed at reducing the loss of lives due to carnages on the country's roads. Aptly, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development have made history, being the first trainees for this specialized first aid training in Zimbabwe.

"The loss of lives on highways is highly regrettable and, in most cases, help for road accident victims is delayed due to lack of first aid knowledge, distance, and communication challenges," said Mr. Hwenga.

In most cases the first responder to the scene is another road user or motorist, who unfortunately does not have basic first aid training or knowledge, he added. ZRCS is a first aid training service provider of choice, providing appropriate, evidence-based first aid and health care training services to all sectors in the country.