WITH the Department of Education (DepEd) planning to integrate the mandatory scout movement in its curriculum, the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday, May 26, 2023, said it would be good to make first aid training a part of it.

In a recent media briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said first aid training could be considered as a subject matter in the mandatory scouting subject.

"It is very important for lay persons to know how to give first aid, on what to do during medical emergency situations, such as CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)," said Vergeire.

"What we want is for every Filipino would know how to give first aid and other basic life support skills," she added.

If such a proposal is adopted, the health official said the DOH is ready to provide assistance to schools.

"The DOH is ready to help DepEd and other sectors so that we can properly implement this program," said Vergeire.

Earlier this month, DepEd Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte said they are already looking at ways to integrate mandatory scouting into the school curriculum.

Duterte said that doing so will allow young Filipino boys to learn from the Scout movement values such as honesty, integrity, respect and service to others. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)