KARACHI: The Sindh branch of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) set up a First Aid Post and Dissemination Desk at the 17th Karachi International Book Fair, at Expo Center Karachi where more than 150 leading publishers and booksellers from Pakistan and, 40 exhibitors from 17 countries are participating.
PRCS Sindh Provincial Secretary Kanwar Waseem said that there are two main reasons for setting up a first aid post at the book fair, the first being to deal with any emergency in such a crowded place. Another reason is to disseminate the basic first-aid techniques to the public so that they will be aware of the benefits of first-aid training. "We have deployed Red Crescent Emergency Response Force (ERF) volunteers, First Aid Responders (FAR), and an equipped ambulance," the provincial secretary said.
Kanwar Waseem stated that, in addition to giving basic first aid to those in need, Red Crescent volunteers impart useful basic first aid techniques to the participants. He said, "Our objective is for every home to have a first aider who can save lives," and to that end, Pakistan Red Crescent is offering free first aid training at Hilal-e-Ahmer House, Teen Talwar Clifton, Karachi.
People from all walks of life appreciated the vision of the Pakistan Red Crescent, while students and media representatives expressed their interest in learning first aid.