- The BBL project aims to bring CPR training to the grassroots, ensuring more Nigerians are equipped to handle cardiac emergencies
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has inaugurated the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Centre in Abuja as part of efforts to address the rising cases of cardiac arrest in Nigeria.
This was done under the “Bring Back to Life” (BBL) programme organized by the Nigeria Cardiac Society (NCS).
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mahmoud emphasized the importance of CPR in saving lives, noting that the centre will focus on training the public in CPR techniques and installing Public Access Defibrillators (PAD) in high-traffic areas. She highlighted that cardiovascular diseases are a leading global cause of death, and the establishment of this CPR centre aligns with the FCT Administration’s commitment to improving healthcare and community resilience.
The Minister praised the NCS for its leadership in the initiative, calling it a successful public-private partnership that supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s goals.
Dr. Akinyemi Aje, Chairman of the BBL programme, stressed that 89% of cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals and pointed out that many first responders lack proper CPR training. He added that bystanders often focus on recording incidents rather than assisting.
The BBL project aims to bring CPR training to the grassroots, ensuring more Nigerians are equipped to handle cardiac emergencies.
Aje also noted that the “slump and die” phenomenon can happen anywhere, but with proper training, survival is possible through collective efforts to change public orientation.