A serious look, complete concentration, a conversation on vitally important topics - tenth graders from Gomel schools tried on the role of rescuers in white coats on 28 March. Even though they are only 15-16 years old, they already know how they can help those around them who find themselves in a difficult health-related situation. After all, on a bike ride, on a hike, at home, on an airplane, or on the way to school, any random passerby can suddenly feel unwell. BelTA visited the simulation and certification center of Gomel State Medical University, where students are taught the principles of first aid as part of the Restart a Heart nationwide campaign.
The team in emerald vests - students of Gomel Secondary School No. 21 - visited the simulation and certification center of Gomel State Medical University for the first time. They are in the 10th grade with a medical focus. Their day began with a lecture on a topic that ideally every person should know. The theoretical basics of first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were provided by Dmitry Shmatko, a senior lecturer in the Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimatology.
The material and technical base of the simulation and certification center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, instruments, and simulation systems. However, head of the center Mikhail Radovnya is confident that the most innovative devices are of no importance or value in training without a first-class team of professional educators. It is these people, the university’s teachers, who became guides for the students into the world of medicine.
Rector of Gomel State Medical University Irina Nazarenko personally greeted the students. She emphasized the significance of the project. “The very name Restart a Heart already suggests that this campaign is about actions, knowledge, and courage, as well as the most valuable thing of all - human life - about saving people. These skills are basic, but they help anyone find their bearings in difficult life circumstances. Such situations can happen anytime and anywhere, and it is very important – it’s no coincidence that the so-called ‘golden hour’ principle exists - to perform basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a short amount of time and save a person’s life,” she explained.
After the lecture, the 10th-grade students from the medical-focused class of Gomel Secondary School No. 21 were divided into groups and assigned to different units. In this setting, each student can try their hand at performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and receive guidance from the instructors.
“Ksyusha, go for it!” her classmates cheer on Ksenia Abdurashitova, who, after repeating the theory aloud once more, approaches the mannequin. The girl actively performed under the supervision of experienced instructors. The technique also required physical effort - a slight flush appeared on the tenth grader’s cheeks. The next step is rescue breathing. The instructors suggested the correct sequence of actions and even provided a gauze pad. In an emergency, if nothing like that is at hand, they advised using even part of one’s own shirt.
The next to dare to repeat these actions, conditionally saving the mannequin-person, was Anastasiya Glushakova. The girls note that emotions are running high after the practice session.
The instructors, associate professors, and professors were generous with their praise, encouraging the students’ interest.
Olga Pekar, the school’s biology teacher, does not hide her pride in her students. “They are very determined and motivated. Two 11th-grade students have already ‘reserved’ their places in the first year of medical university based on the results of the university Olympiad,” she said, observing their successes in the simulation and certification center as well.
In the adjacent room, there is also complete concentration.
“Just two seconds - let me catch my breath after that resuscitation,” asked Yegor Gromyko, a 10th-grade student from Gomel Secondary School No. 21, who was one of the first to decide to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a mannequin at his future alma mater, as the talented young man dreamed. “I am very glad that I got to take part in this campaign. I enjoyed the lecture session, where they gave us a brief theoretical course and explained in detail how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. And now I’ve just come out of a practical session, where I was the first to try to practice these actions on a mannequin. Now I can say that I have gained new skills.”
For a student in a medical-focused class, such training is simply a pleasure. “I decided on this path as early as the beginning of ninth grade. I thought about it for a long time and realized for myself that I would like to help people as a doctor. It’s a noble profession. I worked toward this for a whole year, prepared myself, and now in tenth grade I continue my preparation. Yes, my choice is deliberate. In our elective classes, we also work with a mannequin. I participate in various medical-themed competitions, so I have a certain understanding. Today I refreshed my knowledge, and that’s never a bad thing,” he shared his plans.
At just 15, Yegor feels that this kind of environment - providing assistance in emergency situations - is closer to him. “In our classes, we are always given examples from real practice. They teach us how to make decisions and act in emergency situations, under time constraints. I understand how responsible and important this is. For now, this seems like the right direction for me. How things will turn out further, time will tell,” he concluded, noting that he already has certain skills and is ready to provide first aid if necessary.
“Now each of these students knows the most important principle – don’t panic, pull yourself together, and act according to the algorithms that have helped save more than one human life. Believe me, not only doctors can help with this,” said Vladimir Pokhozhai, Vice-Rector for Medical Work at Gomel State Medical University, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, and oncologist surgeon.
Mikhail Radovnya added that despite their young age, even a school student with certain skills is capable of providing real help to a person. “There have been such cases. Let me give you an example. A recent high school graduate, now a first-year student, helped a man who was lying at a bus stop before the ambulance arrived. He identified signs of clinical death, began performing resuscitation measures. The information was confirmed. Of course, now this student has wings on his back. He feels that he can do it,” he recounted this recent example.
The head of the simulation and certification center also emphasized that despite the center’s facility being equipped with the latest innovations, it is important to give the students a foundation of knowledge and skills. After all, in real life, this equipment is not always nearby. “Understand that even sticks, a triangle bandage, or a bag can be adapted to provide assistance. These are basic things for the transport mobilization of an injured,” he stressed, guiding the school students to absorb this valuable information.
Over the course of two Saturdays, more than 300 people have joined the campaign at Gomel State Medical University; on 28 March, an additional 100 tenth graders took part.
Irina Nazarenko noted with satisfaction the high level of motivation among the school students. “Such classes and masterclasses, integrating secondary schools, higher education institutions, and specialized secondary institutions, make it possible to expand the capabilities of the school curriculum and, in general, the competencies of young people. I would like to express my gratitude to two ministries - the Education Ministry and the Healthcare Ministry - as well as to the initiator of the project, the National Clinical Medical Center of the Belarus President Property Management Directorate, for this idea. In 2024, the coverage of school students was enormous, both across the country and in Gomel Oblast specifically. Now the campaign has been launched for a second time, which shows that interest has not waned - quite the opposite: school students are very eager to acquire these skills,” she said.
The name of the campaign has a deeper meaning than might appear at first glance. It can also be about awakening compassion in the hearts of those who sometimes do not even believe in their own abilities. Irina Nazarenko is confident that Restart a Heart is a true slogan of mercy and kindness, one that will help reach every heart and perhaps even help some of the students discover a calling to become doctors. “You know, to immerse yourself in this atmosphere and personally try to start a heart, even if only on a mannequin for now, to feel that you have the strength, the inner resolve, and the spirit that will help you benefit practical healthcare in the future,” she emphasized.
For one of the country’s main training grounds for medical personnel, for the university, this campaign is important as a form of professional guidance for our future applicants. “It is important for us to help young people make an informed choice and prepare them for the world of big medicine and the profession,” the rector concluded, emphasizing that the doors of the medical university are always open to those who feel the strength and desire to help people and are ready to respond to the call of the Restart a Heart campaign.
The second edition of the national project will conclude with a large-scale flash mob at Minsk Arena in the Belarusian capital in mid-May. In the southeastern region, a fitting finale to this season will be an event at the Gomel University Clinic - the Regional Hospital for Veterans of the Great Patriotic War.
Photos courtesy of Gomel State Medical University,
BelTA.
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