Deputies Maria Voropaeva and Petr Potapov from the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) faction in the Moscow City Duma have put forward a legislative initiative for consideration by the capital`s parliament. The proposed bill seeks to expand the existing list of volunteer objectives to include training in first aid skills and facilitating the development of international medical volunteering.
An explanatory note accompanying the bill outlines its primary goal: to integrate essential aspects of medical volunteers` work into the official framework of volunteer activities. This encompasses assisting the public in acquiring crucial first aid skills, especially pertinent during emergency situations, and actively supporting the growth of international medical volunteer initiatives.
The authors of the initiative underscore the critical role played by medical volunteers in responding to emergencies, educating the public on first aid techniques, and engaging in international medical endeavors. They highlight that the current legislative definition of volunteer objectives does not adequately cover these areas, resulting in a failure to properly document such work in volunteer record books. According to Moscow City Duma deputies, this oversight deters participation, as volunteers do not receive recognition points for these activities. Consequently, their opportunities to compete for awards, gain official statuses, or secure admission to educational institutions are limited.
“Providing first aid training, particularly for emergency circumstances, necessitates its distinct recognition as one of the key objectives of volunteer work. This will allow for the development of this crucial area on a new level. In the context of ongoing special military operations, it is especially vital for residents of border areas and newly incorporated regions to understand how to act and provide assistance to those nearby. We need to implement extensive public awareness campaigns. In situations like drone attacks or artillery shelling, every minute counts for effective aid,” Voropaeva stated.
The proponents of the bill are convinced that these proposed amendments will rectify current deficiencies in recording the activities of medical volunteers. They anticipate that the changes will stimulate greater participation in significant projects and improve the system for accruing points in volunteer logbooks. Ultimately, they believe this will enhance the quality of life in society, bolster citizen safety, and strengthen Russia`s standing in the international medical sphere.
Ekaterina Dragunova, the Chairperson of the Moscow Committee for Public Relations and Youth Policy, affirmed that these suggested modifications are timely and will open new avenues for volunteer organizations to operate more efficiently and effectively.
