Based on the humanitarian values that emphasize preserving life and safeguarding human well-being, the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the College of Engineering – Mustaqbal University launched an awareness campaign titled "First Aid Culture: A Life-Saving Skill". This initiative aims to enhance health awareness and foster a community culture built on prompt response to emergency situations.
First aid serves as the first line of defense in the critical minutes that separate life from death during injuries or sudden accidents, representing both a humanitarian and scientific responsibility that requires familiarity with its basics. The campaign highlighted the importance of rapid intervention in cases of sudden cardiac and respiratory arrest, where Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) helps maintain blood flow to the brain and limit cellular damage.
The campaign also covered proper management of severe bleeding, which can lead to circulatory shock and organ failure if not controlled correctly. It emphasized first aid procedures for burns and fractures, highlighting the role of correct intervention in minimizing tissue damage and reducing long-term complications or severe infections.
Additionally, the campaign addressed handling choking and airway obstruction, which require speed and decisiveness to prevent oxygen deprivation and serious neurological effects. Participants were also introduced to the use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and the proper response to fainting and seizures.
This campaign aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, by promoting public health, reducing deaths from sudden accidents, and fostering a culture of prevention and early response.
The campaign emphasizes that first aid is not merely a technical procedure but a proactive culture that empowers every individual to be an effective lifesaver, contributing to the protection of humanity's most precious asset: life itself.
University of Al-Mustaqbal – the first university in Iraq