First-ever basic life support training for health care workers held in the Republic of Moldova
In March 2023, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in collaboration with the Society for Applied Simulation in Medicine from Moldova (CUSIM), organized a Basic Life Support (BLS) course for health workers in the capital city of Chisinau.
Eleven medical staff from the National Centre for Prehospital Emergency Medical Assistance, which is in charge of the ambulance services in the Republic of Moldova and one doctor from the medical service of the Moldova Border Police, were invited. Participants included instructors of the training centre of the ambulance service which is one of the target beneficiaries of the ICRC health programme.
This programme is for trainers of the training centre in the field of emergency medicine and calamities, while very instructive, was also interesting and clearly applicable in different emergency situations.
We will use these skills obtained to improve the process of continuous training of the medical-sanitary and non-medical personnel of the Republic of Moldova (RM), to increase the quality of the medical interventions performed by the emergency medical personnel, as well as to develop the volunteers in providing the first response. The training centre ensures partnership of the ICRC and the RM.
The completion of a mandatory pre-test set the stage for the medical practitioners to participate in the training and receive an accredited certificate at the end of the programme. After they completed an educational programme developed based on the current European guidelines in the field, they were evaluated by the instructors and as proof of qualification, they received an accredited certificate. The course was accredited by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and training was conducted by certified BLS instructors from the CUSIM.
Skills on range of themes
They gained skills on a range of themes including rapid casualty assessment, effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the use of an automated external defibrillator while also learning about the ICRC's mandate both globally and for the delegation in Moldova with a focus on the guiding fundamental principles. The course equipped the health care workers with the necessary knowledge and skillset to provide immediate and effective care, thereby improving the patient's chances of survival.
The session was opened by Dr Serghei Suman, Deputy Medical Director, CNAMUP and Karina Lehman, Head of Operations, ICRC Delegation in the Republic of Moldova. The collaboration between ICRC and CUSIM has allowed for a more comprehensive training program, ensuring that healthcare workers have access to the best possible resources and knowledge. This first ICRC training for health care providers in Moldova is an important step towards improving the overall quality of prehospital and emergency care in the country as part of emergency preparedness support.
