As a child, I have lost close family members to medical emergencies including my dad, two of my siblings and my (maternal) grandmother. More recently, in 2016, a very close and cherished family member with pre-existing conditions fell unconscious during a flight; basic life support and oxygen were administered by flight attendants trained in first aid care. Fortunately, they were able to keep her stabilized until she could receive medical care upon arrival. After that moment, I decided that I need to change my course in life.
Over the course of more than a decade as a healthcare professional, I have witnessed how timely and effective first aid during a medical emergency can make all the difference in potentially saving a life. My experience in healthcare and in my personal life have sparked a desire to start HEART FIRST AID AFRICA, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help healthcare-deprived communities build the knowledge base and develop the necessary skills on how to not only recognize the warning signs and symptoms of medical emergencies, but also how to provide basic care until professional medical care is received.
HEART FIRST AID AFRICA is dedicated to delivering health education initiatives while also promoting effective health surveillance practices in rural communities.
Sincerely,
Alimatou Toure
Healthcare Administrator
Founder & CEO of Heart First Aid Africa
AST@HeartFirstAidAfrica.org