The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives has partnered with the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) and three NHS ambulance trusts to bring vital lifesaving training and education into more of the UK’s mosques.
The BIMA Lifesavers project is an annual initiative that works with mosques to provide important training around CPR and other issues such as recovery position, choking management and the use of AEDs (defibrillators).
Muslim healthcare professionals lead the workshops, ensuring sensitivity and inclusivity for participants. The sessions are flexible, accommodating prayer breaks and dietary restrictions to promote accessibility. They are also open to non-Muslims who are welcome to attend.
Ambulance staff and volunteers will be visiting with BIMA volunteers on Saturday 28th September 2024 at the following venues:
North East Ambulance Service
- Newcastle Central Mosque
- Al Hadi Islamic Centre, Gateshead
West Midlands Ambulance Service
- Sutton Coldfield Masjid
Yorkshire Ambulance Service
- Madni Masjid, Bradford
British Muslim communities face higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and physical inactivity compared to the general population. This, unfortunately, translates to poorer outcomes from cardiac arrest.
Additionally, CPR delivery rates are significantly lower in areas with high ethnic minority populations and socio-economic deprivation. This knowledge gap leaves many individuals unprepared to act in an emergency, potentially costing lives.
Joe Crook, AACE National Volunteer Lead says:
This is why the BIMA Lifesavers project is so important, and bringing together highly trained ambulance staff with volunteers who are aware of Islamic cultural sensitivities makes complete sense if we are to break down the barriers and really help our local Muslim communities.
If this pilot goes well, we hope to expand it to more ambulance trusts and mosques next year.
The BIMA Lifesavers project has been running for around a decade and reaches around 100 mosques a year. BIMA provide the materials and recruit volunteers every year.
More details are available at https://britishima.org/work/lifesavers/
