October 24th 2024.
In a tragic turn of events, the recent death of toddler Zaire "ZaZa" Bwoga has prompted action from the local council in Perth's north west. The council has decided to install anti-choking devices and defibrillators in all of its public facilities, following a unanimous vote at a meeting on Tuesday. This move is believed to be the first of its kind in Australia.
ZaZa's father, Brian Bwoga, has been a strong advocate for the installation of these life-saving devices. His son passed away after choking on a grape at Burns Beach, near the Illuka Foreshore in Joondalup on January 15. Despite Bwoga's desperate attempts to save his son's life, ZaZa tragically passed away, leaving behind a devastated family.
"It all happened so quickly," Bwoga shared in an interview with 9news.com.au in May. "Within five minutes, my son was gone. He died in my arms." The pain and heartache that Bwoga and his family have endured since ZaZa's passing is immeasurable. However, Bwoga has turned his grief into action, determined to prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
After the council's decision to install the LifeVac airway clearance devices alongside defibrillators in all council-run facilities, Bwoga expressed his gratitude and hope for his son's legacy. One of these devices will even be placed near the toilet block on the Illuka Foreshore, where ZaZa passed away, less than 100 meters away from where Bwoga tried to save his son's life.
Former paramedic Simon Gould, who brought the LifeVac to Australia in 2016, shared that the device has already saved the lives of 40 children nationwide and approximately 2,900 people globally. The portable device can be used in emergency situations when standard choking protocols have been unsuccessful.
Bwoga emphasized that the cost to install these devices would be minimal for the City of Joondalup, estimated at only $5200. In comparison, the cost of burying his son was over $15,000. Bwoga's determination and persistence in his campaign for life-saving measures is far from over.
The grieving father has been invited to speak at the WA state parliament by Hillarys MP Caitlin Collins about his advocacy work. Apart from the installation of LifeVacs in public places, Bwoga has also been pushing for mandatory warning labels on packaged grapes and signage in stores selling loose grapes. He launched a Change.org petition in May, calling for these labeling changes.
In Australia, there are currently no requirements for choking hazard labels on food products. Shockingly, statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show that there were 134 cases of choking and suffocation related to food among children aged four and under in 2021-2022. Additionally, two infant deaths were recorded during the same period due to food obstructing the respiratory tract.
"I am getting greedy, but I want these labels," Bwoga stated, expressing his frustration and determination to see these changes implemented. He also shared that his son's death has pushed him to go beyond his reserved nature and speak out for change. "Before this, I couldn't stand and address people," he said. "But what I've come to realize in this journey is that you don't know your strength until you're pushed to the limit."
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