.Dr Kasonde

By CHUSA SICHONE –

GOVERNMENT has handed over 42 Advanced Life Support Ambulances valued at K72 million to be distributed to general and tertiary hospitals countrywide with Health Minister Joseph Kasonde sternly warning beneficiaries against misusing the facilities.
The 42 ambulances with state-of-the art equipment supplied by IVECO of South Africa are the first batch.
Officiating at the handover, Dr Kasonde reaffirmed his Ministry’s commitment to providing equitable access to quality, cost-effective healthcare as close as possible in a clean, caring and competent environment.
“And it is in line with this mission that our strengthening of Emergency Services has taken place over the last two years and continues to take place to the point we hope where unnecessary loss of life can be avoided,” he said.
Dr Kasonde said the ambulances were bought at a huge cost and that it was imperative that the beneficiary institutions used them for their intended purpose and was hopeful that they would significantly contribute to improving emergency preparedness, response and management.
“Government has procured these ambulances at a great cost. Therefore, I would like to urge all the institutions where these ambulances will be delivered to use them prudently and only for their intended purpose.
“I appreciate that we are in the cold season and charcoal will be required but please let’s not use these ambulances for charcoal. It is wrong, it is illegal.
They should be looked after jealously, serviced regularly and maintained at the best operating standard,” he said.
Dr Kasonde also urged all the staff that would provide the ambulance services to be professional when dealing with patients as that would go a long way in saving lives.
He said 135 drivers had undergone special training to equip them with knowledge and skills in the use of those vehicles and that the trainings was ongoing while four Emergency Physicians and 20 nurses would this month be sent abroad for training in Emergency Medical Care.
He said the Ministry would introduce local training programmes for paramedics to strengthen pre-hospital care in the ambulances, adding that besides the procurement of 160 Basic Life Support Ambulances early this year for district hospitals and the Advance Life Support Ambulances, the Ministry was in the process of buying Trauma Rescue Vehicles.
Dr Kasonde said his Ministry was in the process of establishing a Communication and Command Centre in Lusaka to ensure effective management of emergency health services.