Help save lives

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Nationwide efforts to improve Bahrain’s response to sudden cardiac arrest were pushed forward yesterday, with the launch of the Elliott Walsh Defibrillator Fund.

The event, held in memory of a young boy who died unexpectedly from cardiac arrest, marked the beginning of a campaign to supply defibrillators across schools, sports clubs and public spaces throughout the country.

“The Foundation places preventive safety awareness at the top of its priorities,” said Her Highness Shaikha Naila bint Hamad bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who founded and chairs the Royal Life Saving Foundation. “We aim to achieve this through targeted programmes and initiatives that support national efforts to enhance public health.”

She described the fund as a source of pride and confirmed plans to widen its reach to every part of Bahrain.

Scheme

The scheme began in the aftermath of Elliott Walsh’s death. His family, his school and his sports club launched a fundraising campaign with one aim: to ensure life-saving equipment would be available where it is needed most.

The Foundation took over the task of purchasing and distributing the devices using the money raised.

Each unit costs between BS650 and BD850, according to Shaimaa Baqer, the Foundation’s Business Manager.

Crucial device

“It is a crucial device in cases of sudden cardiac arrest,” she said. “The number of trained lifesavers in Bahrain now exceeds one thousand. All the rescuers currently working with the Foundation are Bahraini. There are around 30 of them, and more than 700 volunteers help carry out our activities.”

Baqer said the group behind the initiative contacted the Foundation because their aims were aligned.

“We took on the job of buying the devices and handing them out to the institutions most in need,” she said.

Partnership

She pointed to a separate partnership with Tamkeen.

“In December 2024, we signed an agreement to train young unemployed Bahrainis under a programme called “Lifesavers of the Future”. The first 15 were trained over three months and they finish in May. The second group, also made up of 15 trainees, starts in September. Tamkeen is covering the full cost of the programme under a two-year deal,” she said.

A second course for experienced lifesavers is in the works, also supported by Tamkeen. Dr Husam Noor, Head of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the Mohammed bin Khalifa Cardiac Centre, called the initiative “a noble humanitarian message” and praised the family’s decision to act.

“The child’s family has managed to transform grief into a message of hope that helps save lives,” he said. “This reflects the strong social fabric that unites citizens and residents in Bahrain.”

Genuine desire

He added: “It shows a genuine desire to help. There is a real sense of togetherness here. Everyone steps up. Everyone wants to do their bit to help save lives.”

Training Supervisor Murtadha Al Samahiji said over 10,000 people had been trained through the Foundation so far, with workshops drawing between 500 and 600 people each month.

Twenty sessions have already taken place this year. He noted a sharp rise in interest from parents, especially for training that covers drowning, burns and bleeding in children.

Strong demand

“We are seeing strong demand,” he said. “We are planning to run more of these sessions. People care. They want to be ready.”

He explained that the training focuses on CPR because many emergencies such as drowning or cardiac arrest happen away from hospitals.

“These things do not wait. If someone is ready nearby, lives can be saved,” he said.