When an emergency strikes in a remote village, every minute matters. Yet for many people in rural Balochistan, professional medical help may be far away, while basic first-aid knowledge is limited.
With more than 60 per cent of Balochistan’s population living in remote areas, the lack of basic emergency training is a serious public health concern. Studies of rural communities have found that up to 26.6 per cent of household caregivers have never heard the term “first aid”. Among rural students, only 8.1 per cent demonstrated acceptable first-aid knowledge before receiving formal training. Nationwide, 31.4 per cent of untrained people identified the lack of local courses as a major barrier. In remote parts of Balochistan, opportunities for first-aid training are particularly limited.
This lack of knowledge can become dangerous during emergencies such as severe bleeding, burns, snakebites, choking, poisoning, agricultural injuries and road accidents. Instead of receiving appropriate first aid, some families rely on unverified traditional practices. Applying mud, ash, oil or other substances to wounds can cause infections, while improper treatment of burns, snakebites or poisoning can worsen a patient’s condition. Mishandling accident victims can also turn survivable injuries into permanent disabilities.
First aid cannot replace professional medical treatment, but the right knowledge during the first few minutes can prevent complications and save lives. I urge the provincial government, health authorities and community organisations to launch a province-wide first-aid awareness and training programme, particularly in remote districts. NGOs should also be encouraged to organise regular training sessions in villages and schools.
SAMRANA TARIQ,
Awaran.
