Latest news with #ExternalDefibrillators
Hans India
2 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Heart screening to be compulsory for schoolchildren under 15, declares gvt
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has confirmed that there is no scientific evidence linking COVID-19 vaccines to the rising cases of heart attacks in the state. The clarification comes after a technical expert committee, led by Dr. Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, submitted its detailed report to the government. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao briefed the media on Monday, clarifying that while COVID-19 infection may have contributed to an increase in cardiac cases, there is no connection between the vaccines and heart attacks. 'The expert panel has made it clear — heart attacks may be related to COVID infection itself, but not due to the vaccine. The committee found that post-COVID, cases of diabetes have significantly increased, which can trigger cardiac issues. High BP, side effects of some medications, lack of physical activity, and poor lifestyle habits like excessive screen time have also contributed,' Rao explained. International reports too support these findings, he added. Taking serious note of the recent spike in sudden cardiac deaths, the state government is set to declare certain diseases that lead to sudden deaths as notifiable diseases. 'Mandatory post-mortems will be conducted for sudden deaths outside hospitals to accurately identify causes and help us take preventive action,' Rao announced. In a major move towards early detection, the government will soon make heart screenings compulsory in schools for children under 15 years of age. 'This will help detect heart issues early and provide timely treatment,' Rao said, adding that awareness about cardiac and non-communicable diseases will be included in school textbooks from the next academic year. To strengthen emergency cardiac care, the popular 'Puneeth Rajkumar Vijayajyoti Yojana' — currently operating in 86 hospitals — will be expanded to taluk hospitals. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) will be maintained in working condition and staff will be trained to operate them efficiently. Public places like railway stations and bus terminals will also get AED installations to help tackle cardiac emergencies. The government further plans to make annual health check-ups mandatory for all government employees and contract staff. Private companies will also be asked to conduct annual health screenings for their workforce.
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Chai urges government to provide AEDs in Sarawak schools for emergency readiness
Chai practices hands-on CPR during the emergency procedure training. KUCHING (May 25): All schools across Sarawak should be equipped with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to handle emergencies, said Datuk Jonathan Chai. The Association of Boards of Management of Chung Hua Primary Schools (SJKCs) in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions president stressed that this medical equipment should serve as the first line of defence to promote safety within schools. 'The government should provide AED for every school in the state so that we will be able to respond quickly in emergencies,' he said during a seminar yesterday aimed at promoting safety awareness among teachers. More than 180 teachers from 36 SJKCs in Kuching, Samarahan, Serian and Bau took part in the event, which sought to educate them about AED usage and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills. Chai stressed that teachers are not just educators but also protectors, making it important for them to acquire life-saving skills and emergency know-how. Jointly organised by the association and the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Kuching branch, the seminar aimed to train participants with CPR techniques and the proper AED use. 'These skills may appear to have nothing to do with the daily teaching obligation but play a key role in saving lives when faced with emergencies,' he explained, noting that the event aimed to ensure teachers could serve as first responders in an emergency. Chai extended appreciation to the MRC Kuching branch for its knowledge-sharing and skills-demonstration, highlighting their spirit of caring and saving lives. He also thanked all headmasters, headmistresses and teachers for contributing to the seminar's success. 'We will continue to organise similar seminars or programmes to promote health and safety among our teachers,' Chai affirmed. Political secretary to the Premier Kho Teck Wan represented Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian to officiate at the seminar. Automated External Defibrillators Jonathan Chai lead schools
New Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Mandate AEDs in public spaces to save lives, says Lee Lam Thye
KUALA LUMPUR: Public facilities must be equipped with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) as sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time, says Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. Whether at a shopping mall, workplace, sports facility or on public transportation, cardiac arrest is a silent killer and survival rates drop by 7 to 10 per cent for every minute without defibrillation, he added. "When an AED is used within the first few minutes, survival rates can be as high as 70 per cent. This is why AEDs must be readily accessible to the public, just like fire extinguishers," Lee said in a statement. He said AEDs are designed for ease of use, with clear voice instructions that enable even untrained bystanders to operate them safely, as the device only delivers a shock if necessary. Given their life-saving benefits, Lee questioned why AEDs were still not widely available in Malaysia, calling for their mandatory installation across all public facilities. "This includes government buildings, transportation hubs, shopping malls, schools, sports complexes, and workplaces. Just as we require emergency exits and fire extinguishers, AEDs should be a non-negotiable safety measure," he said. While acknowledging that AEDs are costly—ranging from RM6,000 to RM25,000—Lee suggested tax exemptions or subsidies to encourage wider adoption. "There should also be a fixed ceiling price for AED consumables such as batteries and pads," he proposed. Highlighting examples, Lee pointed to the tragic death of 17-year-old badminton player Zhang Zhijie in Indonesia, saying, "A valuable international badminton player could have been saved if someone performed CPR and used an AED immediately." By contrast, he noted a success story involving Mdm Kristil of St John Ambulance Malaysia, who saved a life during a badminton tournament in Melaka using her personal AED. Lee also cited recent incidents in Penang where toddlers' lives were saved thanks to the rapid deployment of AEDs by volunteers riding motorcycles equipped with the devices. He said making AEDs compulsory was a critical first step, adding that governments must lead the way by introducing regulations, funding programmes, and public awareness campaigns. Lee said that beyond accessibility, Malaysia must prioritise public training, stating, "The availability of AED is not enough if the public lacks the confidence or knowledge to use them." He urged the government and private sector to support free community CPR and AED training, suggesting companies could incorporate such initiatives into their Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. "Let's advocate for policies that make AEDs compulsory, push for government support, and encourage tax incentives to make them more accessible," Lee said.
The Sun
27-04-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Urgent need for defibrillators in public facilities, says Lam Thye
KUALA LUMPUR: The installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public facilities must be regarded as an urgent national priority, given the vital role these devices play in improving survival rates during sudden cardiac emergencies. Alliance for a Safe Community chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, said that sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a silent killer that can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time — whether at a shopping mall, a workplace, a sports facility or even on public transport. 'However, when an AED is used within the first few minutes, survival rates can be as high as 70 per cent. This is why AEDs must be readily accessible to the public, just like fire extinguishers. 'AEDs should be a mandatory fixture in all public facilities. This includes government buildings, transportation hubs, shopping malls, schools, sports complexes, and workplaces. Just as we require emergency exits and fire extinguishers, AEDs should be a non-negotiable safety measure,' he said in a statement today. However, he said the government should introduce regulations ensuring AEDs are installed and properly maintained, with clear signage indicating their location. Lee also said that security personnel and staff at these facilities should receive basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED training to maximise their effectiveness in an emergency. According to him, several countries, including Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom, have introduced laws requiring AEDs in public spaces and Malaysia should follow suit. He said governments must play a leading role in expanding AED access through funding programmes, grants and partnerships with private organizations and work with local authorities to map out high-risk areas, besides ensuring AEDs are strategically placed where they are most needed. 'While AEDs are important, they are not cheap. AEDs can range from RM6,000 to RM25,000 depending on features, and also come with maintenance fees. 'AEDs need a change of batteries and AED pads every three to five years, depending on the models. As such, I wish to suggest a tax exemption initiative or subsidies to place AEDs in the public and to fix the ceiling price for AED consumables like batteries and AED pads,' he said. At the same time, Lee also emphasised the need to create and enhance public awareness. He said education campaigns should target all levels of society, and basic CPR and AED training should be included in school syllabuses to help people respond confidently during emergencies.
The Sun
27-04-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Urgent need for defibrillators in public facilities
KUALA LUMPUR: The installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public facilities must be regarded as an urgent national priority, given the vital role these devices play in improving survival rates during sudden cardiac emergencies. Alliance for a Safe Community chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, said that sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a silent killer that can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time — whether at a shopping mall, a workplace, a sports facility or even on public transport. 'However, when an AED is used within the first few minutes, survival rates can be as high as 70 per cent. This is why AEDs must be readily accessible to the public, just like fire extinguishers. 'AEDs should be a mandatory fixture in all public facilities. This includes government buildings, transportation hubs, shopping malls, schools, sports complexes, and workplaces. Just as we require emergency exits and fire extinguishers, AEDs should be a non-negotiable safety measure,' he said in a statement today. However, he said the government should introduce regulations ensuring AEDs are installed and properly maintained, with clear signage indicating their location. Lee also said that security personnel and staff at these facilities should receive basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED training to maximise their effectiveness in an emergency. According to him, several countries, including Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom, have introduced laws requiring AEDs in public spaces and Malaysia should follow suit. He said governments must play a leading role in expanding AED access through funding programmes, grants and partnerships with private organizations and work with local authorities to map out high-risk areas, besides ensuring AEDs are strategically placed where they are most needed. 'While AEDs are important, they are not cheap. AEDs can range from RM6,000 to RM25,000 depending on features, and also come with maintenance fees. 'AEDs need a change of batteries and AED pads every three to five years, depending on the models. As such, I wish to suggest a tax exemption initiative or subsidies to place AEDs in the public and to fix the ceiling price for AED consumables like batteries and AED pads,' he said. At the same time, Lee also emphasised the need to create and enhance public awareness. He said education campaigns should target all levels of society, and basic CPR and AED training should be included in school syllabuses to help people respond confidently during emergencies.
