The Department of Health (DOH), on Wednesday, July 17, joined other government agencies to raise awareness and conduct Basic Life Support Training in celebration of the National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Day.
In his opening remarks at the Special Media Forum held at the Swiss-Belhotel Blulane in Santa Cruz, Manila, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo explained that this celebration aligns with Proclamation No. 511 issued by President Marcos, designating every 17th day of July as National CPR Day.
"We have gathered here today to discuss the importance of CPR. It saves lives, and it might save the lives of our loved ones," Domingo said in a mix of English and Filipino.
"CPR is not just a skill; it is a powerful tool that empowers everyday citizens, every Filipino, to become first responders in emergencies where every second counts," he added.
Highlighting barriers such as lack of knowledge or reluctance to undergo CPR training, Domingo stressed the need for change.
He emphasized the urgent necessity for comprehensive awareness campaigns on cardiac arrest, often referred to as a heart attack, and CPR education.
"It is important to make CPR training more accessible and mandatory, not only for us doctors, nurses, and midwives, but also for non-medical personnel. Everyone outside should know how to perform CPR," he said.
Domingo underscored that every minute of delay in administering CPR reduces the chances of survival of the patient by 10 percent.
‘Samboy Lim’ Law
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Secretary General Gwen Pang said that the National CPR Day is associated with Republic Act (RA) 10871, also known as the "Basic Life Support Training in Schools Act" or the "Samboy Lim Law."
Pang recounted that this law was inspired by Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legend Samboy Lim, who collapsed in 2014 while stretching, before even starting to play basketball.
Unfortunately, no one administered CPR to him when he collapsed. He was brought to the hospital after a few minutes.
"He was brought to the hospital. But after being in the hospital, fortunately, he survived, but he was in a coma. Right? For several years," she said.
"So, if someone had performed CPR there, in connection with Dr. Domingo's explanation, maybe it could have saved, shortened the period of being comatose, right? Like Samboy Lim," she added.
Aside from DOH and PRC, officials from various agencies joined to express support and provide insights on the topic of the event.
These agencies include the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine, Philippine Heart Association, and Department of Education.
Before the event, Domingo, along with media personalities, conducted a live CPR training demonstration.
According to the health department, when performing CPR on an actual victim, it is advisable to administer 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
During the demonstration, this was synchronized with the P-pop group Bini's song "Salamin" to match the required duration of compressions.