1.8 million baht raised and matched by Rotary Foundation Global Grants
The Rotary Clubs of Daegu Dongshin and Geoje-Chilbaekri in Korea together with the Rotary Club of Phra Nakhon in Bangkok raised 1,832,503 baht to acquire and distribute 50 sets of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) to worthy organisations in Pattaya and Sattahip.
To implement a large-scale humanitarian project such as this one, Rotary Clubs or Districts, after having finalized their plans, raise as much money as they can for the project. They submit an application for a Global Grant from the Rotary Foundation whose committee thoroughly scrutinizes the feasibility of such projects, approves them and to help it through, matches the funds raised by the clubs and district with the same amount to fulfil the costs of such an undertaking.
The lifesaving equipment comprised of 10 sets of AED, 10 cabinets, and 15 trainer sets including 15 mannequins used for training volunteers in CPR and the proper usage of the AEDs.
The handover ceremony was held at the Queen Sirikit Naval Medical Center June 11 attended by Rotarians and representatives of the beneficiaries.
Rear Adm. Surasing Prapaipanitch, the hospital’s director, and Rotary International District 3340 Governor Surapol Taveesangsakulthai joined Darin Pongpawat, president of the Rotary Club of Phra Nakhon Bangkok together with P.P. Dr. Jay Chung, the coordinator of this project, President Vutikorn Kamolchote of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, President Stephen Devereux of the Rotary Club of Pattaya, President Krongjai Katcharoen of the Rotary Club of Plutaluang, PDG Pratheep Singh Malhotra, PDG Onanong Siripornmanut and supporting Rotarians from nearby clubs for the ceremonies.
Rear Adm. Surasing Prapaipanitch accepted the donation on behalf of his facility and Abhakorn Kiatiwong Hospital. Other recipients included Pattaya schools No. 5 & 9, the Sawang Boriboon Foundation, Plutaluang Vittaya School, Sawang Rochana Foundation and the Naval Administrative Office.
Surasing said, “The risk of sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time including children and adults. It can strike at workplaces, homes, schools, playgrounds or while exercising.
“In a matter of seconds, you could have a cardiac arrest or arrhythmia when the brain and body will lack oxygen leading to death.
“Patients will not be warned in advance; they will suddenly pass out or have unexpected accidents, such drowning even if they are good swimmers or while participating in other sports activities.
“To save a person’s life one must be well trained in both the basic knowledge of CPR and the proper use of AED.
“Nowadays it is encouraged that the AEDs be installed at government offices, private companies, factories, schools or academic institutes, hotels, public health centers, hospitals, airports, and even on airplanes.”
Following the presentations, all recipients are required to attend strict training sessions on CPR and the proper use of the AEDs. These sessions will be conducted by trained personnel from hospitals and rescue units in Pattaya and Sattahip.
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