Over 3,700 people in Moldova die before an ambulance arrives and more than 200 of these are children. Representatives of the Ministry of Health said the survival chances will be higher if everyone learns how to save a life. The necessity of involving volunteers in emergencies was the main subject discussed in a meeting of the Volunteer Expertise Club, IPN reports, quoting the Ministry of Health.

Deputy Minister of Health Oleg Creciun said that in emergencies, the volunteers are exposed to an increased risk and the authorities must find the necessary instruments so as not to endanger their lives. “We established that not more than 10% of 100 volunteers become involved and work in the field. Our goal is to prepare volunteer trainers so that these share their knowledge and a higher number of people know how to give first aid and to take resuscitation measures,” he stated.

Currently, a number of specialists work in the health system on a voluntary basis, while the National Center of Emergency Pre-Hospital Medical Assistance worked out regulations on volunteering that will soon start to be used. Specialists will formulate recommendations concerning cooperation with civil society and NGOs working in the field of volunteering in crisis situations and will later submit these for implementation to the central or local public authorities. Also, volunteering programs will be instituted in governmental institutions.