Emergency Response Training Will Save Lives in Bayelsa — Health Commissioner

 

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, has emphasised the importance of emergency response training, saying improved preparedness and faster intervention can help save lives during medical emergencies.

The commissioner’s position comes as Bayelsa continues efforts to strengthen its emergency healthcare system, including training programmes aimed at improving the ability of health workers, communities and institutions to respond quickly when lives are at risk. The state Ministry of Health has identified emergency response, health security and stronger healthcare systems as key areas of focus.

Emergency situations such as road accidents, sudden illnesses, cardiac emergencies and other life-threatening conditions often require immediate action before victims reach professional medical facilities. Experts have repeatedly stressed that the first few minutes after an emergency can determine whether a person survives or suffers permanent complications.

In Bayelsa, recent emergency response initiatives have focused on improving awareness and practical skills among residents. A training programme supported by FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited, NNPC Limited/FIRST E&P Joint Venture and the Health Emergency Initiative trained more than 100 secondary school students and teachers in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other emergency response skills.

The training was designed to equip participants with basic lifesaving abilities that can be applied before professional medical help arrives. Organisers said the goal was to encourage people to take action during emergencies instead of only recording incidents or waiting helplessly for assistance.

The importance of such programmes is particularly significant in communities where distance, transportation challenges or limited emergency infrastructure can delay access to hospitals. In those situations, trained first responders within communities may provide crucial support during the period between an emergency occurring and professional medical intervention.

The Bayelsa government has also been working on broader health system improvements, including strengthening emergency preparedness, improving healthcare facilities and collaborating with partners on health security programmes.

However, while emergency training can significantly improve response capacity, it is not a complete solution on its own. Effective emergency healthcare also requires functional ambulances, well-equipped hospitals, trained medical personnel, reliable communication systems and efficient referral networks.

The success of emergency response programmes will therefore depend on whether the knowledge gained through training is supported by the necessary healthcare infrastructure. Training citizens and health workers is an important first step, but sustained investment will determine how effectively emergencies are managed.

For Bayelsa residents, the message is clear: knowing what to do during the critical moments of an emergency can make the difference between life and death. Building a culture where people are prepared to respond responsibly could strengthen the state’s overall healthcare system.