In Slovenia four people suffer cardiac arrest every day. In the desire to increase the chances of survival for residents and visitors of Prekmurje on experiencing cardiac arrest, the Murska Sobota regional unit of Zavarovalnica Triglav has supported the purchase of three defibrillators. The devices will be provided to two volunteer firefighter organisations in Prekmurje and a local company that is visited by large numbers of tourists.
For the fifth year running, Zavarovalnica Triglav have redirected a portion of funds to support for a range of prevention projects. Among the more than 30 campaigns this year, it has supported the purchase of defibrillators, including one each for the Volunteer Firefighting Societies of Pristava and Krašči and one for the company Paradajz.
“We are seeking to provide local communities with the best possible resources for the timely identification and treatment of health problems, and to increase the chances of surviving cardiac arrest. Zavarovalnica Triglav’s guiding principle and mission is to create a safer future. For all generations. That is why the Murska Sobota regional office, in cooperation with local communities, has again this year supported the purchase of three defibrillators," said Sandi Štefan Flisar, the director of Zavarovalnica Triglav's Murska Sobota regional office, at the ceremonial presentation of the funds.
Defibrillators for two firefighter organisations and Luštna domačija attraction
The two villages, which are served by the Pristava and Krašči volunteer firefighting units, are more than 30 kilometres from Murska Sobota General Hospital. For the residents of the villages in the municipalities of Cankova and Ljutomer the defibrillators, which have been installed at the village hall fire stations in Krašči and Pristava, represent a significantly better chance of survival in the event of cardiac arrest. “The purchase of the defibrillators was promoted by our deputy president Darijan Marič, who is also a health worker. Our village and its surroundings are a minimum of 25 minutes from urgent medical care, and we know that this could be fatal for a patient if we don’t administer first aid. At the Krašči fire station we realise the importance of early use of a defibrillator for revival, representing a greater chance of survival and more rapid recovery in the case of revival,” emphasised Matej Bertalanič, president of the Krašči volunteer firefighters on the handover of the device.
For a long time volunteer firefighters were also trying to secure a defibrillator for the fire station at Pristava, where in past years certain other larger investments took priority: “The defibrillator will be available to everyone 24 hours a day on the exterior wall of the village hall fire station in the centre of the village, close to the sports centre,” Herman Bogdan, president of the Pristava volunteer firefighters, was proud to say.
The major importance of the new acquisition was pointed out by staff at the famous Prekmurje tomato production operation Paradajz. “We are extremely happy that as part of our new Luštna domačija (Lovely Homestead) we are not just offering our visitors a great feeling but also ensuring the greatest possible safety. The defibrillator is certainly one of those devices that at certain moments can be vitally important.”
“For A Better Tomorrow” now in its fifth year
The “For A Better Tomorrow” New Year prevention campaign is already in its fifth year. Over the last four years, Triglav’s campaign has supported nearly 100 prevention projects throughout the country, with almost another 30 receiving support this year. In recent years, the company have helped numerous firefighting associations around Slovenia, co-financed the purchase of defibrillators and various other complex medical devices, and supported a large number of other projects in the fields of healthcare, civil protection, child development and safety, flood protection and road safety.
The Murska Sobota regional office also contributed funds for the purchase of publicly accessible defibrillators as part of New Year prevention campaigns in previous years. Last year they went to the local communities of Lemerje and Križevci, the municipality of Veržej and Moravci volunteer firefighters, and before that to the municipalities of Cankova and Šalovci, Turnišče, Ljutomer, Črenšovci and Dobrovnik, while with help from Slovenia’s biggest insurance company defibrillators have also been supplied to two popular tourist destinations in Prekmurje, Moravske Toplice spa and Banovci.
Of course, one has to know how to use a defibrillator if its purpose is to be served, because every second is crucial. This video contains more information on this.
