On the 5th of June 2026, a day that will forever remain etched in my memory, I experienced the unimaginable loss of my 40-day-old son. At roughly 8:30 in the morning, we woke up to the most horrifying tragedy a parent could face—our son passed away in his sleep. In our panic, we immediately called emergency services. The police arrived rapidly, within five minutes, and did everything in their power to resuscitate him using only their hands and hearts but, crucially, no specialised medical equipment.

It took another harrowing 20 minutes for the ambulance team to arrive with the necessary medical tools that could potentially save a newborn's life. As a mother, these 20 minutes felt like an agonising eternity, and they left me with the haunting question of 'what if?' What if the police had the same life-saving equipment as the ambulance crew? Could my son have been saved?

The tragic death of my son made it painfully apparent that police and other first responders, who are often the first on the scene, are not equipped with the essential life-saving equipment required for individuals of all ages, from the youngest newborns to adults. In emergencies, every second counts, and the immediate availability of life-saving equipment can mean the difference between life and death.

In many places, police patrol cars are not equipped with basic medical devices such as pediatric defibrillators and infant-sized airway management tools. Yet, studies have shown that in medical emergencies, survival rates significantly increase when immediate treatment is given. In fact, the American Heart Association reports that defibrillation within the first five minutes of cardiac arrest can lead to survival rates as high as 70%.

We are calling for a change, a crucial shift in protocol that ensures all emergency service vehicles, including police cars, are equipped with comprehensive medical kits suitable for all ages. This includes pediatric defibrillators, airway management tools, and other essential life-saving equipment.

Implementing this change worldwide would require an initial investment in training and equipping police vehicles but considers the countless lives potentially saved—an outcome that is invaluable. Other countries have already started to implement similar regulations with positive impacts.

By signing this petition, you will join me in urging the Ministry of Health and emergency service policymakers to make it mandatory for all emergency responders to carry age-appropriate life-saving equipment. Let’s ensure no other parent has to endure the agony of wondering if a tragedy could have been averted.

Please sign this petition to help save lives and ensure our emergency services are as equipped and prepared as possible. Your signature could make all the difference for change.