Residents of Athena and Kiang'ombe estates on Friday attended a sensitisation forum on handling health emergencies that may arise during the festive seasons.
Speaking at Athena Shopping Centre, Thika West deputy public health officer Jane Wanyoike said that there was a need for the public to be sensitized on how to handle emergencies and offer first-aid to patients before taking them to a health facility for treatment.
"As we approach the festive season, as a health department we have found the need to sensitise residents on how to handle health emergencies as most of them tend to happen during this time," said Wanyoike.
She said that all members of the family including children from the age of ten should be able to attend to home emergencies.
"Nobody knows when an emergency may strike and who would be around. It is, therefore, useful that even kids at least from the age of ten have this knowledge," she added.
Among the emergencies that the residents were taught on include food related, respiratory, cuts, home accidents among others.
Wanyoike said that the sensitisation will be extended to other areas in the sub-county and asked the public to come out and learn.
Others who were present included Makongeni location chief Daniel Waiguru and area sub-chief Joseph Njoroge.