Police urged to learn first aid
Calls have been made in Parliament for police officers to receive emergency medical and first-aid training to strengthen their ability to assist people during accidents and other emergencies. The proposal is aimed at equipping officers with basic life-saving skills, particularly in communities where ambulances and specialised emergency services may take longer to reach an incident.
Mathias Sipipa Mbundu said police officers are often among the first public officials to arrive at scenes involving road accidents, fires, assaults and other emergencies. “In such critical moments, the first few minutes can mean the difference between life and death,” Mbundu said. The proposed training would not turn police officers into paramedics, but would equip them with basic skills such as CPR, bleeding control, first-aid management, assistance to accident victims and emergency scene management.
He further suggested that selected officers could receive more advanced training and serve as emergency first responders within their respective policing areas. The proposal also calls for cooperation between the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration and Social Security and the Ministry of Health and Social Services to establish a structured emergency first-response programme.
Mbundu further asked whether officers stationed at police stations across the country could be trained to provide enhanced emergency assistance, particularly in rural and remote areas where access to ambulances may be delayed. He said the initiative could strengthen immediate assistance at emergency scenes while medical or fire and rescue personnel are still on their way.
