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 visited BIMA volunteers in 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, said:
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.
Hanna Khan, PTS Call Handler, observed:
I felt proud to be wearing the YAS uniform and to be representing the Trust, and I felt as though both the men and women were proud to see a fellow Muslim in YAS uniform and like it might have made them see that they could be part of YAS, too.
Sofian Khan, Senior Project Manager, National Health Inequalities Improvement Programme, added:
When the community members see the defibrillator installed, an ambulance on site and Yorkshire Ambulance Service and other healthcare professional colleagues having respect for the masjid and their community, it builds trust and confidence in the NHS.
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/
