Sri Lanka to train 28,000 young people in first aid

The Government will launch a national programme on Thursday (30) to train at least two young first-aid providers in every Grama Niladhari division across Sri Lanka.

The inaugural ceremony and the first training session will take place at 8.30 a.m. at the National Youth Services Council premises in Maharagama.

Under the initial phase, 28,000 young men and women will receive first-aid training at centres across the country.

The Ministry of Health and Mass Media said the programme aims to ensure that trained first-aid providers are available in every community to assist accident victims before they reach hospital.

The initiative forms part of a broader plan to eventually have at least one properly trained first-aid provider in every household.

The ministry said prompt and appropriate first aid, together with the safe transportation of injured people, could reduce the severity of injuries and improve treatment outcomes.

The Non-Communicable Diseases Unit of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and the National Youth Services Council under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports are jointly organising the programme.

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, Deputy Health Minister Hansaka Wijemuni and Health and Mass Media Ministry Secretary Anil Jasinghe are expected to attend the launch.