Latest news with #AEDs
Irish Independent
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Wicklow car show welcomes 195 vintage vehicles, motor bikes and tractors
The show displays also included a line-up of ten magnificent Ford Model A cars. The venue for this year's show changed from Kilmacanogue GAA Pitch to St. Marys GAA pitch in Enniskerry, which proved to be another fabulous location. Even though the show didn't start until 12 noon, cars were already arriving from 9am and continued to do so throughout the day. By midday, the field was alive with families and children engaging in a variety of free games on offer, while parents enjoyed entertainment from the Mad Drama group Rathdrum, Tracy Carrick's Irish dancers, Majorettes from Wicklow and Arklow Ukulele Band. Brendan Power was MC and sound engineer for the day. There were plenty of stalls to browse through, while a special first responders demonstration also took place regarding CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Ann Nolan of Garden of Ireland Vintage Car Club said: 'There was a fantastic display of cars, motor bikes and tractors. Some beautiful cars were from the early 1900 and are still going strong. The cars that won prizes on the day were Gerry Moore who won the overall Tom Kennedy Memorial perpetual Cup, Gerry Tutty who won the Paul Donnolly perpetual cup for his 1930 Ford Model A Sedan, Kieran Cussen won the Noel Kavanagh Perpetual Cup for best modified car for his BMWE46-330. "Meanwhile, Ger Mulvey won the best tractor for his Ferguson. Other winners on the day was Martin Fleming for his 1918 Ford Model T, Colm O'Neill for his 1963 Peugeot 403 and Joe Delaney for his 1972 Beautiful Honda 50. 'A fantastic amount of money was raised on the day for The Make-A-Wish foundation and other local charities. Thanks to John Linnane Motors Rathnew for his sponsorship of this event, to St. Mary's GAA club for the use of their facilities, enabling us to provide free refreshments on the day, and to all who helped on the Saturday and Sunday.'
The Star
a day ago
- Health
- The Star
AED advocate honoured for life-saving mission
Barnabas with Rodrigues (second right), daughters Arielle (right) and Chantal after the investiture ceremony. He was conferred with Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star DRIVEN by a passion to save lives, Datuk Christopher Barnabas has been working closely with the Penang government for the past 10 years to create awareness of cardiac arrest responses. An old boy of St Xavier's Institution, Barnabas, 59, pursued his tertiary education in the US before returning home. His professional journey includes roles in major medical firms such as B. Braun Medical, Medtronic and currently, Zoll Medical, which is known for its automated external defibrillators (AEDs), ventilators and other life-saving equipment. Realising that cardiac arrest response awareness in Penang was severely lacking, Barnabas made it his personal mission to change that. He embarked on a campaign to increase public knowledge about sudden cardiac arrest – a silent killer with alarmingly low survival rates in Malaysia. Azmi was conferred the Darjah Johan Negeri award. In close collaboration with the state government, he set out to boost both awareness and access to life-saving tools such as AEDs. 'The survival rate was just 1% – unacceptably low compared to the rates in countries like Singapore and Japan. 'I then made it a personal mission to help place as many AEDs as possible throughout Penang, while conducting public training and awareness campaigns,' he said. Thanks to these sustained efforts, the cardiac arrest survival rate in Penang has climbed significantly. Barnabas was among recipients of the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) – which carries the title 'Datuk' – during the investiture ceremony held in conjunction with the 84th birthday celebration of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, at Dewan Sri Pinang on Saturday. Barnabas was accompanied by his wife Datin Anne Rodrigues, 58, and their two daughters Arielle, 25, and Chantal, 27. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar was one of four individuals to receive the Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri (DPPN) – which carries the title 'Datuk Seri' – from the Penang Governor. Shamsul was appointed as the 16th Chief Secretary to the Government in August 2024. Chan was honoured with the Pingat Jasa Masyarakat medal. He thanked the Penang Governor for the award and described it as a meaningful recognition of his dedication to public service. 'This recognition truly inspires me to further strengthen my commitment and efforts in delivering excellence in public service,' he said. A total of 1,530 recipients received state awards and honours this year. Other DPPN recipients were Persatuan Melayu Pulau Pinang (Pemenang) president Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff and MMAG Holdings Bhd executive chairman Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador. Lawyer Lim Choo Hooi, the Penang Chinese Town Hall honorary secretary-general and Penang Forward Sports Club chairman, was conferred the DSPN award which carries the 'Datuk' title. Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd strategic communications and stakeholder management director Azmi Mohamad and social activist Lee Thuan Chye were awarded the Darjah Johan Negeri (DJN) in recognition of their respective contributions. The Star photographer Chan Boon Kai was honoured with the Pingat Jasa Masyarakat (PJM) medal.
Arab Times
24-07-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Kuwait advances healthcare with global expertise and cutting-edge technology
KUWAIT CITY, July 24: Kuwait is pressing ahead with a wide-ranging transformation of its healthcare sector, with a focus on adopting global medical expertise, enhancing emergency response systems, and expanding digital and preventive care services, according to Ministry of Health Spokesperson Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad. Speaking at a press conference hosted by the Government Communication Center, Dr. Al-Sanad outlined the ministry's efforts to elevate Kuwait's healthcare standards through a multi-faceted approach that includes specialized infrastructure, international collaboration, and a strong push for digitalization. At the core of this strategy is the establishment of specialized medical zones across Kuwait. Among the most significant projects is the new Al-Adan Hospital, comprising nine interconnected buildings aimed at delivering comprehensive services to citizens in the surrounding area. Similar integrated health zones have been established in Al-Ahmadi and Al-Sabah, designed to provide secondary and specialized care within easy geographic reach. New facilities such as the Mutlaa Emergency Center, Infectious Diseases Hospital, and Kuwait Cancer Control Center are also being launched, while the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department has been relocated from Al-Adan Hospital to the Maternity and Childhood Hospital, improving focus and care delivery. Among the notable advancements is the First Responder Project, introduced earlier this month. The initiative features 28 mobile medical units dedicated to delivering rapid response care in emergencies. In its inaugural week, the units responded to 70 cases, demonstrating their potential to strengthen Kuwait's emergency care framework. In a similar vein, the ministry has installed 20 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at Kuwait International Airport to improve outcomes for cardiac arrest victims. To ensure proper use, specialized training has been launched for airport staff in cooperation with relevant authorities. To strengthen domestic medical capacity, the ministry has hosted 140 visiting doctors from around the world, offering advanced treatments and knowledge exchange with Kuwaiti healthcare providers. This initiative is part of a broader effort to integrate international standards into Kuwait's medical system while training national cadres. In diagnostic services, a newly inaugurated MRI wing at Al-Razi Hospital has doubled both imaging equipment and patient throughput. Simultaneously, a new border medical center in Nuwaiseeb, along with 13 health centers across all Kuwaiti border crossings, have been launched to ensure accessible care for travelers and residents at key entry points. Kuwaiti emergency departments recorded 200,000 cases in January alone, reflecting the scale of services provided nationwide. Across the country, there are 117 primary healthcare centers, 30% of which operate 24/7. Additional facilities include 38 maternity clinics, 72 mental health clinics, 35 preventive health centers, 20 ophthalmology clinics, and 18 ENT clinics. In the first half of 2025, 86,860 emergency cases were handled, with 72,236 patients transported via ambulance. These included over 50,000 urgent and nearly 22,000 non-urgent cases, along with 5,068 traffic accident responses, 420 airlifts, and 35 medical evacuations. Dr. Al-Sanad noted a decline in road accidents following the implementation of the new traffic law in May, with 357 fewer reports over two months. The ministry is also accelerating its digital transformation. Through the 'Sahel' application, 23 health services have been made available, with 338,844 users benefiting during the first half of the year. Since October 2023, 3.9 million electronic patient visits have been recorded. This transition has eased pressure on health centers, reducing visits from 15.5 million in 2022 to 13.2 million in 2024. Preventive health services are expanding as well. Early breast cancer screening saw 4,275 applicants in the first half of 2025, up from 1,114 in 2023 and 8,141 in 2024, for a total of 13,530 screenings to date. Meanwhile, 872 bedridden patients have received care through the ministry's home visit program, with plans underway to launch similar services tailored to children. In conclusion, Dr. Al-Sanad emphasized the ministry's ongoing commitment to comprehensive and forward-looking healthcare reform. Through strategic partnerships, smart infrastructure, and digital innovation, Kuwait is steadily building a more responsive and inclusive national health system.
Otago Daily Times
23-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Southern Discoveries puts safety first
Survival Co owner Peter Gillman (second from left, crouching) demonstrates Southern Discoveries' new emergency survival equipment to its coach drivers and other staff during a training exercise in Wilson Bay yesterday. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Queenstown-based operator Southern Discoveries has installed emergency survival equipment in its fleet of coaches and other vehicles to ensure they're prepared for "any eventuality". CEO Kerry Walker says each of the companies' five coaches has been equipped with long-life food, bottled water, purification tablets, emergency shelter, headlamps, ponchos, survival blankets, personal hygiene items, self-rescue backpacks and stretchers. The coaches also have AEDs (automatic external defibrillators) and satellite communication devices with SOS and two-way texting functions. The four-person survival backpacks will enable a driver or passengers from a stranded coach to evacuate themselves, Walker says. The survival packs have also been put into nine other company vehicles, while 'grab and go' packs have been placed in staff housing in Milford Sound. The $50,000 package of equipment has been specifically prepared for major earthquake events such as the Alpine Fault magnitude 8 (AF8) scenario. Walker says it's the first tourism company operating in Milford Sound, and on the Queenstown-Milford bus route, to have this level of equipment in its coaches and support vehicles. With up to 250 people in the coaches at a time, doing everything they can to ensure their customers' safety in a major seismic event is an "essential step". Last Saturday night's magnitude 4.2 jolt was a "timely reminder that this sort of thing should never be far from our minds", she says. "We operate in a region with significant seismic risks, so it's our responsibility to be prepared for any eventuality." The company's investment in the gear is in line with a renewed focus on disaster preparedness by Milford Sound Tourism, Southland District Council and other tourism operators in the region, she says.
Otago Daily Times
18-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Southern Discos puts safety first
Survival Co owner Peter Gillman (second from left, crouching) demonstrates Southern Discoveries' new emergency survival equipment to its coach drivers and other staff during a training exercise in Wilson Bay yesterday. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Queenstown-based operator Southern Discoveries has installed emergency survival equipment in its fleet of coaches and other vehicles to ensure they're prepared for "any eventuality". CEO Kerry Walker says each of the companies' five coaches has been equipped with long-life food, bottled water, purification tablets, emergency shelter, headlamps, ponchos, survival blankets, personal hygiene items, self-rescue backpacks and stretchers. The coaches also have AEDs (automatic external defibrillators) and satellite communication devices with SOS and two-way texting functions. The four-person survival backpacks will enable a driver or passengers from a stranded coach to evacuate themselves, Walker says. The survival packs have also been put into nine other company vehicles, while 'grab and go' packs have been placed in staff housing in Milford Sound. The $50,000 package of equipment has been specifically prepared for major earthquake events such as the Alpine Fault magnitude 8 (AF8) scenario. Walker says it's the first tourism company operating in Milford Sound, and on the Queenstown-Milford bus route, to have this level of equipment in its coaches and support vehicles. With up to 250 people in the coaches at a time, doing everything they can to ensure their customers' safety in a major seismic event is an "essential step". Last Saturday night's magnitude 4.2 jolt was a "timely reminder that this sort of thing should never be far from our minds", she says. "We operate in a region with significant seismic risks, so it's our responsibility to be prepared for any eventuality." The company's investment in the gear is in line with a renewed focus on disaster preparedness by Milford Sound Tourism, Southland District Council and other tourism operators in the region, she says.
