World First Aid Day was marked in the country on Saturday by the Samoa Red Cross Society providing first aid service to the Seventh Day Adventist Church youth groups in Vaimauga and Anoama’a districts.

A statement released by the Samoa Red Cross Society [S.R.C.S.] says the World First Aid Day is observed on the second Saturday of September on an annual basis.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies [I.F.R.C.] introduced World First Aid Day in 2000, to further encourage first aid training and raise awareness about the importance of first aid in everyday life, especially when involved in accidents and emergencies. 

In serious cases, first Aid may be necessary to keep the victim alive before medical attention, through the application of the more specialised treatment by health professionals in the hospital.

"First aid training provides the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively respond to saving lives in everyday and crisis situations,” according to a S.R.C.S. statement.

The S.R.C.S. was established as a result of the Government of Samoa signing up to the Geneva Conventions in 1983 and the official recognition of the S.R.C.S as a member of the I.F.R.C in auxiliary to the public authorities and in the humanitarian field. 

In Samoa the S.R.C.S. has been given the mandate to take the lead in first aid in the Government’s National Disaster Management Plan 2017-2022 and under the Disaster and Emergency Act.

It is also the only certified agency in first aid in Samoa and provides first aid training in workplaces, businesses and the wider community.

Discussing the activities that were held on Saturday to mark the occasion in Samoa, the  S.R.C.S. said it also engaged the church youth to lead by example and be exemplary leaders tomorrow. 

"Today’s event involves first aid service by the S.R.C.S team to the Seven Day Adventist Church youth groups in the Vaimauga and Anoama’a districts, at their march to not only display their uniform but engage members of the S.D.A church youth to lead by example and be responsible leaders of tomorrow,” added the S.R.C.S. statement. 

“To uphold and support Samoa’s national fight against domestic violence affecting women and girls, child abuse and promoting children to be at school every time, everywhere, and further encouraging Samoa’s combined efforts in preparedness and prevention against public health issues especially the approaching COVID-19 pandemic…to save lives."