A press conference was held at the Region of Western Macedonia to officially launch the programme “Training of Citizens of the Region of Western Macedonia in First Aid and Defibrillation”. This initiative is a collaboration between the University of Western Macedonia, through its Centre for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (C.CE.LL.), and the Region, aiming to enhance public preparedness and citizen participation in matters of public health.
The first training sessions will take place over the weekend of May 31st / June 1st in Kozani, Ptolemaida and Florina, with the participation of 520 citizens. Representing the University, Professor Eleni Griva, Vice-Rector for International Relations, Global Engagement and Student Affairs and President of C.CE.LL., described the initiative as “a contribution to public health and an investment in social awareness”. She also noted that this is not merely an educational programme but an act of social responsibility, highlighting the university’s role as an institutional social partner.
Tasos Fountoglou, Deputy Regional Governor for Health, noted that the programme is a natural extension and upgrade of a prior initiative that started with the procurement of defibrillators. “We are now moving to the next and more essential step: mobilizing the citizens. This training complements the initial intervention and ensures that infrastructure is supported by people who are ready and capable of using it properly”, he stated.
In the same spirit, the programme’s scientific coordinator, Assistant Professor Lazaros Lavasidis, stressed the importance of training for the empowerment of the local community: “We never know when or where we may need to intervene. What we can do is to be prepared.” He clarified that the programme is open to all adults of the Region of Western Macedonia.
Concluding, the President of the Medical Association of Kozani and scientific advisor to the initiative, Dr. Haris Tsevekidis, emphasized the power of collective action. “It is truly moving to see local institutions, the University and volunteer organizations working together towards a common goal. The training is not just a process, it is a cultural attitude” he stressed.
🔗 Information and registration:
- The programme has a total duration of 6 hours and is conducted on weekends at the University of Western Macedonia premises in Kozani, Ptolemaida, Kastoria and Florina.
- Upon completion, participants receive a certificate of attendance.
Applications are submitted on the official website of C.CE.LL.:
https://miskedivim.uowm.gr/defibr/register/
For group registrations, interested parties can send a list of participants with the required information to the C.CE.LL. email address: kedivim@uowm.gr
University of Western Macedonia
