In the wake of concerns over emergency response in the country, the Israeli government has pledged to train Nigerians on emergency management.
The Deputy Head of Israeli High Commission, George Deek, said this in Abuja while presenting a paper, entitled: “The Israeli Model of Emergency Response as a Tool of Counter-Terrorism”, at a partnership forum, media briefing and discussion on enhancing emergency response and ambulance services in Nigeria using the Israeli model.
He stated that with the recent upsurge in terrorism, post- election violence as well as recurring ethno-religious crises, it had become pertinent for Nigeria to prioritise the training of personnel in relevant agencies on emergency management.
He said the key elements of preparedness for effective emergency response are the police, emergency medical service, medical workforce cooperation between agencies of government and head of the emergency team.
While urging the Nigerian government to ensure adequate sensitisation of citizens on how to respond to emergency situation, he assured of Israeli government’s readiness to partner with Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.
In a remark, Mr. Willie-Nwobu, Moderator, Global Medical Horizon, said the joint venture training programmes, spearheaded by Israeli emergency response experts will commence with the establishment of three paramedic colleges in November.
He said: “Ambulance or hospitals don’t save lives. An Ambulance that is not operated by competent and skilled personnel is a waste of time and an embarrassment. Most of the time we acquire ambulances first before giving attention to human capital development.”