Punjab launches first aid, CPR training for varsity students 

LAHORE: Aiming at imparting life saving skills among the varsity and college students, the 'Life Savers Initiative for Universities and Colleges' was launched in Punjab to mark ‘World First Aid Week’.  

The initiative was inaugurated by Minister for Health and Emergency Services, Khawaja Salman Rafique, and Minister for Education, Rana Sikandar, featuring a CPR demonstration. It was also attended by senior Rescue-1122 officers, trainers, professors, deans from Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), besides a large number of students.

Speaking on behalf of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Mr Rafique said the initiative aims to enhance the students ability to respond to emergencies such as cardiac arrests and accidents.

He praised Rescue-1122 for saving over 15 million lives and the Pak Lifesaver app for making life-saving training more accessible.

Education Minister Rana Sikandar commended Rescue-1122’s efforts in training thousands of students and expressed hope that the programme, which began at LCWU, would inspire similar initiatives countrywide.

Dr. Rizwan Naseer, Secretary of the Emergency Services Department, hailed the initiative as a historic effort to train students in CPR and bleeding control, with the goal of having a 'First Aider in Every Home' and turning Pakistan into a nation of lifesavers.

LCWU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Uzma Qureshi thanked the Community Safety Wing for their extensive training efforts, preparing students as lifesavers.

Parliamentary Secretary Zia Ullah Shah praised the enthusiasm shown by students and instructors, saying that Rescue-1122 is expanding first aid training across Punjab to better prepare the public and students to handle emergencies.

The event concluded with LCWU students demonstrating their CPR and bleeding control skills.