ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed to initiate a nationwide training programme of health Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to save human lives in emergency.

In this regard, the premier has issued instructions to the head of PM’s Strategic Reforms Salman Sufi to take immediate steps.

Sufi in a statement on Sunday said that CPR training matching international standards would help in saving lives in cases of emergency, adding that it had saved countless lives around the world at places where immediate medical assistance was limited.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique helpful in different emergencies, such as in case of a heart attack or near drowning, leading to choking of someone’s breathing or heartbeat.

Sufi stated that the strategy to launch the campaign will be announced next week.

He said the CPR training would be made part of the educational curriculum, whereas, each citizen would be imparted training under the drive.

Prime Minister Sharif had ensured meritocracy in the health sector, provision of quality education of international standards and construction of health facilities in Punjab province, he added.

The head of Strategic Reforms further said that after assuming office, the prime minister was going to launch a health reforms programme at the national level and the CPR training campaign to save lives was the first phase of this reform agenda.