North seberang perai: The 'D'Pearl' team from the Penang Civil Defence Force (APM) clinched the top spot in the Innovative and Creative Group (KIK) category at the national-level Civil Defence Innovation Awards (AIPA) with their Transparent Ambulance Trainer. This innovative approach aims to revolutionize emergency medical training by enhancing visibility and accessibility during practice sessions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Junior Lieutenant (PA) Syukran Ahmad Amir Shaharuddin from the North Seberang Perai District Civil Defence elaborated on the motivation behind the project. The trainer was conceptualized by Captain (PA) Salman Rahimi Manaf to tackle the constraints of traditional ambulance training, where the compact space hampers clear observation of medical procedures.
The Transparent Ambulance Trainer allows for training sessions to be conducted in larger venues such as halls or auditoriums, giving trainees and the public a chance to observe emergency procedures without the spatial limitations of a real ambulance. Previously, only a limited number of participants could witness demonstrations within an actual ambulance due to space constraints, Syukran explained.
The trainer simulates the interior of a Grade B APM ambulance and is furnished with real medical apparatus, including stretchers and cervical collars, providing a realistic training experience. Its modular design ensures it can be easily dismantled, transported, and reassembled, offering flexibility in training locations.
Digital enhancements such as a camera for real-time procedure display and QR codes for equipment information further augment the trainer's utility. Remarkably, the project was completed in under three months at a cost of less than RM10,000, a stark contrast to a similar model in Japan that reportedly cost around RM10 million.
Before competing, the prototype underwent evaluation by institutions like the Sultan Azlan Shah Ministry of Health Training Institute and the MARA Skills Institute to incorporate expert feedback and enhance the design. At the competition in Kajang, Selangor, the D'Pearl team outshone seven other finalists in the KIK category, among over 30 teams competing across various innovation categories, securing a RM5,000 cash prize, a trophy, and a certificate.
Syukran expressed optimism for the broader adoption of the Transparent Ambulance Trainer across APM and other medical training institutions to elevate the standard of emergency medical training across the nation.