Adventist Health-Care Institution Trains Children in First Aid

More than 34 children in northern Brazil recently learn how to provide first aid in emergencies. The children participated in the “Rescue Angels” initiative promoted by Belém Adventist Hospital in Pará and were awarded a certificate of completion during a special ceremony on March 5 at the health-care institution’s facilities.

The instruction, held between February 14 and March 5, sought to train children to be prepared for moments of risk and emergency. The children, aged 8 to 13, are sons and daughters of hospital workers and the first selected for this project. José Guataçara, a physician specialist in orthopedics and traumatology, taught the theoretical and practical classes.

“In this day and age, we tend to care for children without realizing the role they can play in family and social care,” Guataçara said. “This course highlights the importance of children in society. At this stage, they are receptive. Teaching them first aid techniques enables them to act in situations of choking, seizures, and cardiorespiratory arrest. In addition to saving lives, these guidelines awaken in them an interest in pursuing careers in the health area,” he added.

During the training course, young participants learned essential techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), hemorrhage control, and limb immobilization, which are essential to helping in cases of emergency. To practice what they learned, they were encouraged to carry out activities at home, with their family members as patients, reinforcing the knowledge acquired in theoretical classes and sharing information with the family. Total course time was 20 hours, organizers said.

About Belem Adventist Hospital

Belém Adventist Hospital is a health-care landmark in the Brazilian state of Pará, known for the quality of patient care it offers. Founded in 1953, the hospital works according to Seventh-day Adventist principles and values, which combine humanized care with the spiritual comfort of those who need it most, institution leaders said.

“Our hospital is a medical complex with several awards that stand out, such as the Excellence in Health Award, received in 2019 for the quality of the patient hospital rooms and its constant efforts to remain up-to-date and technologically relevant to support patients and employees,” they said.

In December 2023, Belém Adventist Hospital celebrated 70 years of emphasis on comprehensive health care, including people’s physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. On that occasion, hospital business manager Jackson Freire thanked employees who, he said, play key roles in the daily life of the institution. “We believe that each of us plays a crucial role in the noble mission we embrace — saving lives,” Freire said. “It doesn’t matter what role or position we fill, every one of you is extremely important in this process. And we are here not only to preserve lives but to collaborate with God’s plan of salvation,” he emphasized.

Likewise, medical director Markus Barcellos Albuquerque reminded employees that the value of the institution is not in its physical plant, equipment, or renovations, but in its people. “It is the reason we thank all our employees, recognizing how relevant they have been and continue to be in the service Belém Adventist Hospital provides,” he said.

The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Portuguese-language news site.