The Lancet began as an independent, international weekly general medical journal founded in 1823 to make science widely available so that medicine can serve and transform society, and positively impact the lives of people.
One hundred years after its founding, The Lancet Commission ‘to reduce the global burden of sudden cardiac death: a call for multidisciplinary action’ was established.
‘Sudden cardiac death [SCD] claims millions of lives each year. It results from sudden cardiac arrest and as many as 9 out of 10 of cases result in sudden cardiac death. Chances of survival are increased with early resuscitation, but for most cases of cardiac arrest in the community effective treatment is too slow to arrive. The Commission identifies key factors that can be implemented to reduce sudden cardiac death, recommendations to improve care, and areas for research to help understand the causes and ameliorate the effects on families of people experiencing sudden cardiac death.’
Deploying defibrillators at work, home and in community is arguably the most efficient and cost-effective initiative to put a dent in the unacceptable numbers of death from sudden cardiac arrest.
It behoves government to mandate defibrillator deployment as soon as possible, and for the private and public sector to do its part – do what’s right and not await legislation.
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