By P, KNA
To strengthen referral emergencies medical services, the Department for Health and Sanitation has received the two recently procured ambulances, to improve and expand access to emergency services across the county.
Procured at Sh34 million in the last financial year, these emergency vehicles are equipped with 4200cc engine power, and have the vital Basic Life-Support (BLS) necessary for patient stabilization during referrals.
This follows a complete inspection process by the committee constituted by the Medical Services Directorate to assess the procurement, engineer’s pre and post reports upon inspection. The committee said the two vehicles meet the national and county government substantive specifications requirements.
The Director Medical Services, Dr Ekiru Kidalio, underscored this milestone towards service delivery, terming it as crucial in reducing maternal and child mortalities as well as facilitating referrals to access specialist services in other parts of the country.
“These ambulances will aid in serving cross-border nomadic pastoralists along the international border points in Turkana South, Loima and Turkana West, sub-counties”
Additionally, the Department for Health and Sanitation has proposed the allocation of an adequate budget to procure more ambulances after every financial year.
Present were Rebecca Alimlim, the Director Administration, Esperanza Adukan, Senior Procurement Officer, Victory Gitonga, Turkana Central Emergency and Referral Services Coordinator, among other officers.