Our Community Emergency Care Training Program (CECT©) is designed to empower a broad spectrum of community members, ranging from dedicated Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to a diverse cohort that includes boda boda riders, PSV drivers, teachers, and volunteers with essential skills to respond effectively to medical emergencies in the community, providing that lifesaving emergency care before an ambulance arrives or on the way to the hospital. This comprehensive training transforms both lay community members and CHPs into effective Lay First Responders (LFRs), underscoring the importance of community-wide access to emergency care knowledge and skills.

Lay First Responders (LFRs) are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a way to provide basic prehospital emergency care in resource-limited settings of low- and middle-income countries. According to the WHO, training bystanders as LFRs is the first step toward establishing formal emergency medical services, which are often absent or non-robust in these settings. LFRs can increase the chances of survival and reduce the severity of injuries for victims of accidents or sudden illnesses, especially in rural areas where professional help may take longer to arrive. LFRs  also help to bridge the gap between the community and the health system, and contribute to the development of a culture of safety and prevention.