To help strengthen emergency medical capabilities in Mauritius, International SOS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, has successfully delivered accredited Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) training to healthcare professionals at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National (SSRN) Hospital. This initiative addresses the urgent need for advanced emergency response capabilities in a country where cardiovascular diseases remain among the top five causes of death.
Accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA), the BLS and ACLS courses combined blended learning with hands-on simulation, enabling participants to engage in realistic, case-based clinical scenarios. The programme emphasised teamwork, leadership, and technical proficiency, with each participant rotating through every role in the resuscitation process. The training sessions, held at the SSRN Hospital’s Cardiac Centre, were attended by over 30 healthcare professionals and led by Martin Botha, Regional Medical Services Training Manager at International SOS.
Professor Sunil Gunness, Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Head of the Cardiac Centre at SSRN Hospital, emphasised the programme’s impact:
Accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA), the BLS and ACLS courses combined blended learning with hands-on simulation, enabling participants to engage in realistic, case-based clinical scenarios. The programme emphasised teamwork, leadership, and technical proficiency, with each participant rotating through every role in the resuscitation process. The training sessions, held at the SSRN Hospital’s Cardiac Centre, were attended by over 30 healthcare professionals and led by Martin Botha, Regional Medical Services Training Manager at International SOS.
Professor Sunil Gunness, Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Head of the Cardiac Centre at SSRN Hospital, emphasised the programme’s impact:
This BLS and ACLS training programme is crucial for the health professionals at the Cardiac Centre as it aims to improve patient survival in difficult situations. By enhancing the synchronisation of CPR attempts, the training ensures that the team works more cohesively during emergencies, thereby strengthening the centre's overall emergency care capabilities.Martin Botha shared his reflections on the programme:
The training upskills healthcare professionals to lead resuscitations better, and encourages them to evaluate their systems, to reassess resuscitation equipment, and to use debriefings to prepare teams and reflect on cases to continually learn and develop. The participants embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly and reflected easily on their learning experience.
Participants also expressed their appreciation for the training:
Dr Naviraj Babajee, Anesthesiologist:The training was spot on. It provided me with a clear understanding of updated resuscitation techniques aligned with current guidelines.Dr Aubdool Sabra, Doctor:
This was an amazing and enriching experience. The training enhanced my knowledge and has prepared me to handle emergency situations more effectively.Dr Harish Jevallee, Cardiologist:
This training was very informative and hands-on. After many years, I had the opportunity to practice intubation again. I realised how much the protocols have evolved, and I’m grateful to have learned the correct, updated procedures.The programme contributes to the Mauritius’ healthcare development, with plans to expand training to more Mauritian healthcare professionals, ensuring broader access to these essential life-saving skills.
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