19 New MDA AED's Installed in Kafr Kana
Kafr Kana Local Council in a joint project with Magen David Adom (MDA) installed 19 new automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in various public places around the city including mosques, churches, schools and sports complexes. An event was held in honor of the initiative. In attendance were various representatives from the institutions in which the AEDs were installed, as well as an explanation by Instructor Firas Abu Alhaja on how to use the devices in an emergency situation.
MDA's AEDs drastically improve the chances of the patient to regain a pulse in cases of cardiac arrest when each minute counts. Every minute that passes in which a patient is not receiving CPR reduces their chances of survival by 7%-10%. The sooner the patient receives an electrical shock from an AED, the chances of restarting their heart increases.
Many lives have already been saved by using MDA's AEDs, which any person can easily use regardless of any prior medical knowledge. The AED gives an electrical shock if needed, provides the rate at which to perform chest compressions, and provides clear verbal and visual instructions while simultaneously connecting to MDA's 101 Emergency Call Center, which both dispatches emergency teams and provides additional guidance.
In addition to the 19 AEDs which were installed around Kafr Kana, there are many more projects in the works around the country, all with the same goal: to improve the chances of saving a patient's life in cases of cardiac arrest.
Kafr Kana Local Council Chairman Dr. Yossef Oudeh: " The advanced AEDs which we have installed in the schools, sports arenas, mosques and churches represent a crucial step in the Arab sector. We in Kafr Kana, deeply value human life and this is what led to the decision for this joint venture between us and MDA. We decided to install the AEDs, and hold training seminars for the public to operate the AEDs in case of an emergency. I truly believe that this will help save lives in Kafr Kana.
Gilboa Deputy Regional Manager, Wassem Zoabi: "I would like to congratulate the Local Council of Kafr Kana and Chairman Dr. Yossef Oudeh on the initiative to save lives in their community. MDA is in effect advancing medical services for the residents of Kafr Kana and now the residents can feel safer and know that in a case of cardiac arrest, they have help in those critical first moments until MDA teams arrive.
Gilboa Regional Manager Yossi Fachima: "I am very proud of the understanding of the importance of installing AEDs in the communities and hope that Kafr Kana will serve as an example to all. I would like to thank Local Council Chairman Dr. Yossef Oudeh for taking the initiative and working together with us, and I hope others will follow suit.
