IRCF-certified BCLS course concludes at JNMC

Thursday, September 01, 2022

Faculty members and interns of the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) were upskilled to save the lives of people suffering sudden cardiac arrests with high-quality CPR and team dynamics in the recently concluded Indian Resuscitation Council Federation (IRCF) certified Basic Cardiopulmonary Life Support (BCLS) Course of the Medical Education Unit (MEU), JNMC.

Attending the valedictory function as the Chief Guest, a well-known pediatrician, Dr. Hamida Tariq said: “The experience of Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA) initiated IRCF BCLS course provides the participants with accurate and scientific resuscitation training”.

“This course is in line with the evidence elicited in the international and national literature on Basic Cardiopulmonary Life Support”, she added. 

Speaking on the effectiveness of basic life support training, Prof Rakesh Bhargava (Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Principal, JNMC) emphasised: “Life-saving interventions are vital for the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest associated deaths. A successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene by the health team plays an important role in reducing mortality rates”.

Prof Seema Hakim (Coordinator, MEU) stressed, “Theoretical education alone is not sufficient for applying a successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In order to successfully apply cardiopulmonary resuscitation, current knowledge should be updated and technical skills should be consolidated”.

She pressed for the need to gain competency regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation practices in health workers and pointed out that the RRT Centre and Skill Lab at JNMC is equipped with state-of-art facilities to provide health workers with proper ambiance and comfort for updating skills.

Course coordinator, Prof S Moied Ahmed (Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care) delineated the course structure and explained how it trains a rescuer to diagnose cardiac arrest, call for help, administer high-quality CPR, defibrillate and transfer the patient to higher centers.

“Basic Life Support is performed to support the patient’s circulation and respiration through the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation until advanced life support arrives. Victims who have had early and correct BLS intervention will be better oxygenated and are more likely to respond to advanced techniques, thereby increasing their chance of survival”, said Prof Shahid A Siddiqui.

Dr Rakesh Garg (Additional Prof, AIIMS, New Delhi and the Course Chief Instructor) called for a wide CPR awareness and acceptance.

He also spoke about the National Emergency Life Support (NELS) course of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Prof Qazi Ehsan Ali, Prof Hammad Usmani and Dr Abu Nadeem called for more training and expertise for health workers in lifesaving techniques.

Dr Shahna Ali (Organising Secretary) and Dr Manazir Athar (Co-Organising Secretary) conducted the programme. They were also in the team of six course instructors with Prof S Moied, Dr Rakesh Garg, Dr Obaid A Siddiqui and Dr Farah Nasreen.

A total of 36 faculty members and interns registered for the six-hour course comprising didactic lectures and hands-on training. After the course completion, the participants also appeared in a MCQ based written exam and a practical exam in which all of them scored over 75 percent marks.