First Aid book will help reduce rural deaths- Health officials

[TamilNet, Friday, 12 August 2005, 01:42 GMT]
A book on First Aid written by V Sreetharan and published jointly by the Vanni district St.Johns Ambulance First Aid Brigade and Kilinochchi district Malaria Prevention Movement was officially released Wednesday 3.30 pm at an event held at the Kilinochchi Cultural Hall, sources in Kilinochchi said. Regional Malaraia Prevention official Dr K Sujanthan presided the event.

The event started with Rev. Fr. T. Jeyakumar, the head of the Human Development Centre (HUDEC) and Kilinochchi-Mullaitivu president of Tamil Renaissance Society lighting the ceremonial lamp. Director of Human Resource Development Center Mr C Anpuchelvan hoisted the Tamil Eelam national flag.

Dr Elumathy Karikalan, speaking at the event said, "In several of our villages of the interior with no medical faciities many lives are being lost due to lack of training in first aid techniques. First aid can be administered by any one with some elementary training. This book will help many to learn the basics of first aid training."

Deputy Provincial Healh Commissioner, Dr T Sathiyamoorthy, said that duirng road accidents excessive bleeding is one of the main causes of death. "If the blood loss is minimized by appropriate first aid techniques by someone close to the accident scene loss of lives can be prevented," said Dr Sathyamoorthy.

Ms Karikalan presented the first book to retired Regional Education Officer Mr Kandasamy.

Members of the public, medical practitioners, District Health Department officials, representatives of Non-governmental Organizations and others participated in the