ECCAS staff aware of first aid actions

Libreville, Gabonese Republic, 31 March 2026–The headquarters of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) hosted the first aid awareness-raising ceremony for the benefit of Commission staff, senior officials, including staff with mandates. The objective of the day was to strengthen the capacity of staff in the first aid administration, pending much more appropriate management by the relevant teams.

Two components were the menu for the day, namely:

The solemn opening ceremony was punctuated by three interventions, followed by the event itself.

The first intervention was that of the National President of the Gabonese Red Cross, Mrs.Ambassador Dr Véronique TSAKOURAwhich assured the ECCAS Commission and the Cuban Embassy of the readiness of the Gabonese Red Cross to build a regional cooperation bridge through a partnership between the Gabonese Red Cross, ECCAS and the Cuban Embassy.

Second speaker, Ambassador of Cuba to the Gabonese Republic, with jurisdiction in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, His Excellency Mr.Alex Gonzalez Garciarecalled that today's event stems from the commitment he made a year ago to the leaders of the ECCAS Commission to "make every effort to explore all possible options" in order to build bridges of cooperation between his country and ECCAS. He reiterated "the political will and full readiness of the Cuban Government to put human resources at the service of ECCAS development".

In her opening address, Madam Vice-President of the ECCAS Commission,Ambassador Mariam MAHAMAT NOUR, Representative the Chairman of the ECCAS Commission expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador of Cuba to the Gabonese Republic for his involvement in organizing this first aid awareness day and to the President of the Gabonese Red Cross for the spontaneity with which she mobilized her services.

With regard to the second part devoted to awareness-raising, Cuban doctors and technicians from the Gabonese Red Cross have marvelled at the staff of ECCAS with their expertise. It was learned that rescue actions can increase the chances of survival of the victim by 40%, so the citizen is the first link in the rescue chain. Learning how to respond effectively to any emergency situation can save lives. Modules developed during awareness-raising include those focusing on immediate reaction to a person who suffocates, bleeds abundantly, unconsciously, in cardiac arrest, with or without defibrillator, malaise, fracture or wound, burn or snake bite.

In the face of these emergencies, it is necessary to: (1)Protect (Make sure you do not take any risk, secure the danger zone and the people involved), (2)Appreciate the victim's condition (Present yourself to her, check that she is conscious and able to breathe) (3)Alert emergency services (Failure to notify an emergency department may compromise the life or health of a victim).

At the end of the day, ECCAS staff expressed their full satisfaction and hoped that such initiatives would continue. ECCAS Commission leaders, managers and staff are now better equipped to carry out first aid actions wherever necessary.