Medicine students in the Douala University were trained on first aid April 15.
Cardiovascular diseases have become a public health concern in Cameroon and the world at large. Of every 10 heart attack victims, nine die due to the absence of first aid treatment. It is for this reason that the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Douala University schooled students and young medical doctors on campus on the health concern with practical lessons on first aid in case of a cardiac attack during the second symposium on cardiology.
According to projections, there will be more cardiovascular diseases in 2025 than malaria and HIV/AIDS and to avert the situation, preventive measures are the best way out going by the “prevention is better than cure” jargon.
Kick starting the symposium on cardiology, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Douala University, Pr. Albert Mouelle Sone blamed the increase in cardiovascular diseases to changing life style, feeding and no efforts in carrying out physical exercises. “Our parents lived a wonderful lifestyle, eating lesser salt and tracking long distances. With the advent of modernisation, everything has become easy, people no longer walk long distances, feeding habit have change with much salt, and fat and lipid intake,” Pr Mouelle lamented.
Since 70 per cent of heart attack takes place in the presence of eye witnesses, a cardiologist, Dr Aimé Bonny said massage within the first four minutes will safe the lives of 60 per cent of victims. A routine check on cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes and obesity is advisable. To the cardiologist, 30 per cent of hypertensive patient are ignorant of their status because they don’t carry out routine check. Other preventive measures, Dr Aimé Bonny said, eating more fruits and vegetables, carrying out regular physical exercises, abstaining from tobacco and reducing salt and alcohol intake. The medical students will carry out sensitisation campaigns and equally teach first aid administration to the population in order to safe lives in case of heart attack.
