Abstract
This perspective article discusses the potential role community first responders could play in reducing injury and illness in low- and middle-income countries in the Western Pacific. Community first responders are reportedly making a difference in low- and middle-income countries in Asia and Africa in reducing injury and illness, and in disease surveillance and reporting. Efforts must be made to explore the appropriate and effective introduction of locally tailored community first responder programs in the Western Pacific.
Highlights
In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the Western Pacific Region (WPR), the recognition and initiation of basic first-aid measures fall to the community because of limited access to formal health services.[2]
Community first responders have been reported to make a difference in LMICs in Iraq, Nigeria and South Africa
In a similar programme in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria, drivers of commercial passenger vehicles were trained for 2 days in basic first aid techniques.[5]
Summary
In LMICs in the WPR, the recognition and initiation of basic first-aid measures fall to the community because of limited access to formal health services.[2]. Community first responders have been reported to make a difference in LMICs in Iraq, Nigeria and South Africa. In South Africa, participants from a township in the Cape Town region who were given a 1-day training session provide effective basic first aid to members of their communities until professional ambulance services arrive.[4] In a similar programme in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria, drivers of commercial passenger vehicles were trained for 2 days in basic first aid techniques.[5] As commercial drivers are most likely to encounter motor vehicle accidents, they are able to provide immediate initial first aid.
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