Dear Editor,

Happy holidays to you and the entire Jamaica.

As a fellow Jamaican I have observed many things in our country that need and can be improved. At this time, I want to highlight one of these many observations.

Whenever there is an accident or an emergency in the communities across our country the local residents are the first, and oftentimes the only, help that is available to those that need the assistance.

In some countries, such as the USA, you have reliable emergency services when they are called, but it is not the same in our precious island. Onlookers are often discouraged from assisting someone in these situations, mainly because oftentimes they can cause more harm than the good they seek to render.

This is also the same in our country, especially where the average person isn’t familiar with human anatomy and how to effectively rescue someone in need. However, because these residents are the only help that will ever be offered in a timely manner, in the event of, say, a vehicular accident, I would love to see the Government initiate a programme wherein doctors, paramedics, firefighters, and other agencies with the know-how, go into these communities and teach them the basics of how to assist someone in the event of an emergency.

They can teach them to evaluate a person’s condition, offer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and other things. They can even offer further classes to those who show an interest and skills to be effective in this area. This will also lead to improved workforce and the economy, which is a topic for another time.

Classes can be done at a community centre on at least two Sunday evenings each month. I do believe this is something that the Government can fund and get done. The country is the one that will benefit.

Peace and one love.

Lenroy Swaby

kenute88@gmail.com