Project ACT, an inclusive first aid initiative of NaijAidUK and Health Aid Charity, has trained persons with hearing and speech impairments in life-saving first aid skills in Ilorin, Kwara State, as part of efforts to make emergency response education accessible to everyone, regardless of disability.

The organisation, in a statement issued on Monday, said the initiative was designed to promote inclusive healthcare by ensuring that persons with disabilities are equipped with essential first aid knowledge and practical emergency response skills.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Project Lead of Project ACT, Patricia Adetuase, said the programme was created to ensure that people with hearing and speech impairments are not excluded from first aid education.

She explained that the initiative was inspired by the NaijAidUK Train-the-Trainer programme held in October 2024, during which participants were encouraged to develop community projects that would extend first aid education to underserved groups.

According to Adetuase, Project ACT seeks to bridge the communication gap between hearing and non-hearing communities through accessible and inclusive first aid training.

She commended NaijAidUK and Health Aid Charity for sponsoring the initiative, describing both organisations as long-standing partners committed to improving healthcare delivery and capacity development.

The organisation disclosed that the training was facilitated by a five-member Project ACT team, all of whom participated in NaijAidUK's intensive three-day First Aid Train-the-Trainer course in October 2024.

To improve emergency communication, participants were introduced to alternative alert methods, including whistles, hand signals, flashlights, communication cards and mobile phone alerts.

Facilitators Marvellous Aliyu, Aribisin Tolulope and Falade Jesutoni trained participants on recognising and responding to choking, asthma attacks, diabetic emergencies and severe allergic reactions, while demonstrating appropriate first aid techniques and emphasising early recognition, proper assessment and timely referral.

Participants were also educated on proper wound care, bleeding control and burns management and advised against unsafe practices such as applying toothpaste, butter, oil or methylated spirit to burn injuries.

Speaking after the training, a sign language interpreter at the Centre for Students with Special Needs, University of Ilorin, Mr Dauda Abiodun, described the programme as impactful.

"This practical training has deepened my understanding of first aid and will enable me to pass these life-saving skills on to many others," he said.

Another interpreter, Mrs Bello Aderonke Adebisi, said the programme had equipped her with practical knowledge that would benefit members of the deaf community.

The training featured practical sessions on emergency response, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), choking management, patient assessment, wound care, burns treatment, bleeding control and the management of common medical emergencies such as asthma, diabetes and severe allergic reactions.

Participants also received hands-on instruction on emergency scene assessment using the D-R-A-B-C approach, CPR, the recovery position, jaw thrust technique, infection prevention and other essential first aid procedures.