Senator Lito Lapid has filed Senate Bill 2474 which aims to mandate the placement of automated external defibrillators or AEDs in public spaces like government buildings, offices, courts, schools, public parks and markets.
This measure seeks to help in the survival of patients with heart diseases, the senator said.
“Napakadelikado ng mga sakit na may kinalaman sa ating puso pero hindi ibig sabihin magpapatalo na lamang tayo at mananatiling walang laban sa sakit na ito,” Lapid said.
“Isinusulong ko na magkaroon ng mga AED sa mga opisina, paaralan, palengke at maging sa mga train station at malls dahil malaki ang magagawa nito para masagip ang mga inaatake sa puso at madugtungan pa ang kanilang buhay,” he said.
“Ang mga ganitong kagamitan ay dapat lang na pinaglalaanan ng pondo ng ating gobyerno dahil malaking tulong ito para sa ating mga kababayang may sakit sa puso,” Lapid explained.
An AED is a portable, life-saving device designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
The AED system includes accessories, such as a battery and pad electrodes that are necessary for the AED to detect and interpret an electrocardiogram and deliver an electric shock.
In the United States where community access to AEDs is already legislated, the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) declared that “the combination of CPR and early defibrillation is effective in saving lives when used in the first few minutes following collapse from cardiac arrest.”
The bill indicates that all government buildings, including but not limited to offices, courts, schools, public parks, markets, airports, seaports, train stations, and other transport terminals, shall be required to place AEDs in their premises, subject to certain guidelines.
