In collaboration with the Belgian Red Cross, the Uganda Red Cross Society last week launched a First Aid Blended Learning application, a digital platform aimed at equipping Ugandans with vital first aid skills so as to act swiftly during medical emergencies.
The application combines e-learning via a smartphone and a practical one-day in-class training, which helps members of the public get training in offering first aid and also get certificates from the Uganda Red Cross Society.
The launch comes at a critical time, as Uganda grapples with preventable deaths caused by delayed emergency response and low levels of first aid knowledge across the country.
According to John Baptist Waniaye, a commissioner at the ministry of Health, road traffic injuries are the fifth leading cause of death in the country; hence, the need for urgent strengthening of pre-hospital emergency responses to save lives.
“Road traffic injuries were not among the top 10 causes of death in the country in the last 10 years,” he said.
“But from 2016 to now, many lives are being lost to road traffic injuries. And who are the people dying? The most productive age group.”
He noted that those most affected are Ugandans between the ages of 5 and 29, which represents both school-going children and young adults driving the economy. Statistics also show that 81 per cent of these fatalities are males.
“So, that tells you that we are losing a very high population of people,” he added.
“We believe that the first aid blended training which has been launched will have an impact,” he said.
On his part, Robert Kwesiga, the Uganda Red Cross Society secretary general, acknowledged existing challenges.
“Many Ugandans lack access to first aid training, and response times are often delayed due to inadequate skills or confusion about where to seek help. This app aims to bridge those gaps and ensure everyone has the knowledge to act decisively.”