Adequate regulation to ensure that first aid courses offered by various entities reflected international standards were urgently required, MEP Miriam Dalli said today.

Speaking during a visit to the Malta Red Cross Headquarters in Pembroke, MEP Dalli emphasised that a basic course in first aid was essential in today’s world and an authority that could certify that the courses being offered reflected the most recent guidelines established by the competent authorities, could help in this regard.

During the visit, Dr Dalli was informed about the society’s courses and the systems utilised during the different learning programmes. The Malta Red Cross trained hundreds of persons every year in first aid. 

Malta Red Cross director general Paulette Fenech said the society recently bought a medically equipped vehicle that made it possible to reach an incident spot in the shortest time possible.

This vehicle was purchased in June and used as part of a pilot project that focused on the north in summer, when the region welcomed a large number of tourists. In three months, officials from the Red Cross were able to offer assistance in more than 650 cases.