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The first five minutes: Why every Ghanaian should know basic life support- Lessons from recent tragedies
July 5, 2026
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The first five minutes: Why every Ghanaian should know basic life support- Lessons from recent tragedies

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Key Points

  • Many lives are lost in Ghana due to the lack of timely emergency response and bystander intervention, especially in cases of cardiac arrest.
  • A study revealed that 96.2% of clinical staff at Winneba Municipal Hospital lacked valid or recent Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, indicating a significant gap even among healthcare professionals.
  • Most Ghanaians are unfamiliar with BLS, CPR, and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), leading to panic or inaction during medical emergencies, and AEDs are virtually absent in public spaces.
  • The article contrasts Ghana's situation with other countries where CPR is taught in schools and workplaces, and AEDs are common in public areas.
  • It advocates for mandatory BLS training in schools and workplaces, regular certification for key personnel, widespread deployment of AEDs in public institutions, and public awareness campaigns.

Why This Matters

This article highlights a critical public health and safety deficit in Ghana, where a lack of immediate bystander intervention in cardiac emergencies leads to preventable deaths. Addressing this through policy changes for widespread BLS training and AED deployment can significantly improve survival rates, enhance community resilience, and protect human capital, thereby contributing to national well-being and productivity.

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