International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Nigerian Red Cross, on Thursday in Lagos, trained 15 journalists on first aid practice.
According to the ICRC Spokesperson, Mr Aliyu Dawobe, the training is aimed at making the journalists to consider the safety challenges linked to the profession.
The News agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day training, which kicked off on March 29, had journalists exposed to first aid practice, safety and security and other immediate care needed to preserve the life of an injured person.
Dawobe, while speaking on the expectation of the training, said that it added to the value of reporting activities during emergency situations.
“Since there are tendencies of injuries while carrying out your duties, you should have the basic knowledge of the first aid rules.
“It could be you or your colleagues; a simple knowledge of first aid can help you preserve the life of whoever the victim is,’’ he said.
Speaking on the activities of ICRC, Aliyu said that the main focus was on the most vulnerable people, adding that there was no preferential treatment for victims, aside the Red Cross rules.
“The Red Cross criteria are going to the most vulnerable people. We try to get direct access to people affected by conflict, epidemic, pandemic and armed violence.
“ICRC operates on neutrality so as not to jeopardise the lives of members. This is why we are organising the training so that members of the public can be aware of our activities’’, he said.
Communication Coordinator of ICRC, Mr Robin Waldo, also said that the training, which he described as a dialogue, was an opportunity for ICRC to share ideas with journalists.
“We have always been looking forward to this important dialogue, as it is an opportunity to listen to your perspectives, know what we do and who we are.
“This is what we do all over the world and I will implore that we utilise all that we learned here effectively,’’ he said.
NAN reports that about 15 journalists took part in the training, where they were taught how to apply first aid to accident victims.
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Other things discussed at the training were the history, principles and activities of Red Cross, first aid practice, safety and security, and management of bleeding from burns and scalds.
