BukSU faculty, staff and students receive DOH first aid certification

Student volunteers and faculty members underwent Department of Health (DOH) certification training on standard first aid on August 18-20, 2025, as part of a disaster risk reduction initiative at Bukidnon State University (BukSU).

The sessions were organized by the university’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Unit (DRRMU) at the main campus. The activity followed the Basic Life Support (BLS) training conducted in 2023 under the BukSU DRRM S.H.I.E.L.D. program.

Two groups completed the program: the first composed of student volunteers from BukSU’s Project Michelangelo, and the second scheduled for university faculty and personnel.

The S.H.I.E.L.D. program, which stands for Strategic Hazard Intervention, Education, Logistics and Development, identifies training and certification as part of its focus on intervention, education, and logistics. University officials said the effort is intended to provide technical skills to designated responders and to prepare them to act in emergencies.

Lead trainer Ritchel Agne, RN EMT-B, reported that the BukSU DRRMU volunteers successfully passed the written, practical, and simulation examinations, with an average score of 9 out of 10. Three participants obtained perfect scores on the written test, while one completed the skills demonstration without error.

The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 on good health and well-being, SDG 4 on quality education, and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. These goals outline the importance of health services, safe learning environments, and preparedness measures within institutions and local communities.

By providing DOH certification to both student volunteers and university personnel, the program established an updated set of trained responders available on campus. BukSU officials said the inclusion of students, faculty, and staff in the sessions was intended to ensure that pre-hospital care can be delivered in case of emergencies involving members of the university community. (Rhondell M. Paraiso, DRRMU Head)