Momentum calls for national first aid campaign after beach tragedies
Party says first aid training should be compulsory in secondary schools, linked to driving licence
Momentum has called for a National First Aid campaign to establish life-saving skills and ensure everyone is “fully equipped to respond to medical emergencies”.
In a statement on Sunday morning, Momentum suggested first aid training should be compulsory for several segments of the population and should be embedded in the secondary school curriculum.
Party general secretary Mark Camilleri Gambin also suggested first aid certification should be linked to the acquisition of the driving licence.
A basic first aid syllabus is currently covered by some students who have taken up PE option.
The proposal comes a day after a teenager drowned and a toddler was in a critical condition after two separate incident at beaches in Malta on Saturday. In both cases, CPR was administered by bystanders while professional medical assistance was on its way.
Camilleri Gambin pointed out course costs, which typically amount to between €40 and €85, “can minimised through government and EU-funded programmes, bulk bookings for educational institutions, and tax credits for compliant employers.”
The national campaign would expand beyond physical trauma to integrate mental first aid course content into the standard training modules, he added.
Camilleri Gambin said this nationwide campaign is achievable if linked to the recent rollout of basic AI training.
“While digital literacy is valuable, first aid training is far more important because it directly saves lives. The minutes before professional medical help arrives are absolutely vital.”