The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, recently opened a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Center in Abuja. This center is part of efforts to reduce the increasing cases of cardiac arrests in Nigeria. The launch took place during the “Bring Back to Life” (BBL) program organized by the Nigeria Cardiac Society.

At the event, Dr. Mahmoud highlighted the importance of teaching community members how to respond when someone nearby suffers a sudden cardiac arrest. The initiative will also focus on placing and maintaining Public Access Defibrillators (PAD) in busy public areas, ensuring help is readily available.

Dr. Mahmoud noted that cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of illness and death globally. She emphasized that having a CPR Center is essential for improving healthcare infrastructure and empowering communities. “CPR is a lifesaving skill that can significantly increase survival rates during cardiac emergencies. Every second counts, and knowing how to respond quickly can save lives,” she stated.

She praised the Nigeria Cardiac Society for their commitment to this important initiative, describing it as a strong example of effective partnerships between public and private sectors. This program aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for enhancing healthcare in Nigeria.

Dr. Akinyemi Aje, chairman of the BBL program, shared that about 89% of cardiac arrest cases occur outside of hospitals. He stressed the need for CPR training in public areas, noting that many first responders often lack the knowledge to perform CPR correctly. Instead of helping, some bystanders might choose to record the incident for social media instead of assisting the victim.

Aje explained that many people do not know what to do in these situations, which led the Nigeria Cardiac Society to create the BBL project. The aim is to educate Nigerians at the grassroots level so they know how to act when faced with a cardiac emergency.

He pointed out that cardiac arrests can happen to anyone, regardless of age, wealth, or education, and can occur anywhere—at home, work, in markets, on public transport, or even in schools. Aje concluded by stating that with proper training and community involvement, we can turn the “slump and die” phenomenon into “slump and live,” ensuring more lives can be saved.