A total of 2,000 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) will be placed at tourist spots, malls, recreational areas and places of worship in Melaka to provide first aid to people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
Melaka Council of Datuk (MDDNM) deputy president Datuk Dr Ahmad Zaini Mohd Amin, who is also Heart Safety Programme chairman, said the AEDs would be installed in stages over the next two to three years.
The programme, organised by MDDNM in collaboration with the Melaka Civil Defence Force (APM) and St John Ambulance of Malaysia, will also provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to the public who act as first responders.
“So far, six AEDs have been placed in public places with four units placed at the Seri Negeri Complex, while 60 people have been trained as first responders through this programme.
“This is part of MDDNM’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment and the devices are contributions from various parties in an effort to ensure that individuals who suffer a heart attack in public can be revived,” he told reporters after presenting the AEDs to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.
Ahmad Zaini said 28 State Legislative Assembly Development and Coordination Committee Offices (Japerun) in the state would be used as centres to train first responders in using the AED.
“We also welcome those who wish to participate in this CSR programme so that more people in Melaka will have access to an AED in case of an emergency,” he said. — Bernama
