UNTH trains personnel, students on cardiac arrest management
October 17, 2025 | Enugu
The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku Ozalla, Enugu, has intensified efforts to strengthen emergency response capacity by training its medical students, as well as clinical and non-clinical staff, on cardiac arrest management through the practical application of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
The training, organised by the hospital’s Department of Anaesthesia, formed part of activities marking the 2025 World Anaesthesia Day celebrated in Enugu on Thursday, with the theme “Anaesthesiology in Health Emergency.”
CPR, an emergency life-saving technique performed when a person’s heartbeat or breathing stops, aims to revive the individual and prevent brain damage or death. https://unth.edu.ng
Speaking during the event, Prof. Tonia Onyeka, Head of the Department of Anaesthesia, said the exercise was designed to raise awareness and equip participants with the practical skills needed to respond promptly when someone suddenly collapses.
“We decided that this year, we will focus on cardiac arrest as a health emergency by teaching people in our communities how to respond when somebody collapses. Many Nigerians don’t know what to do in such situations; rather, they take pictures of the person. We want to change that narrative,” Onyeka said.
The consultant anaesthetist emphasized that prompt and effective CPR could make the difference between life and death, noting that the department demonstrated hands-only CPR – a simple chest compression technique used to restart the heart in emergency situations.
According to her, the focus on cardiac arrest reflects growing global concern over its rising incidence and the need for more Nigerians to acquire basic life-saving skills. She urged participants to spread the knowledge to others in their communities to help save lives.
Also speaking, Dr. Friday Okonna, a Consultant Cardiac Anaesthesiologist and Intensivist, underscored the importance of learning CPR across all sectors of society.
“Even in schools, markets, supermarkets and stadiums, people should know how to perform CPR because someone can collapse at any time,” Okonna stated.
He explained that CPR involves placing one’s hands on the lower half of the victim’s chest, locking the elbows, and applying firm, rhythmic compressions to maintain blood circulation until medical help arrives.
One of the participants, Mrs. Chidinma Rebecca, expressed gratitude to the organisers, saying the training had boosted her confidence to handle emergencies.
“I feel glad because I had only read about CPR before now, but I didn’t know how to practise it,” she said.
The cardiac arrest management training at UNTH highlights the hospital’s commitment to improving emergency response skills and saving lives through continuous education and community awareness. http://gmtnewsng.com
