The German Cooperation Deutsche Zusammenarbelt (GIZ) has donated three ambulances to the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health in Congo Town, Monrovia.
Making the presentation, the Project Director of GIZ Damien Bishop said, the gesture is to buttress government efforts in providing quality health delivery to people in the Southeast especially those in Maryland, Grand Kru and River Gee.
He said due to terrible road conditions in the southeast, ambulance provision on roads is something residents have always complained about and in order to curb this situation the long term perspective was to provide the three ambulances which will facilitate the smooth movement of patients.
He furthered that, the donation came in the wake of engagement held with county health officers in the three counties, where his organization has been providing ambulance support and sometimes fuel.
He also stressed that one of the overriding reasons for the donation is to work with the Counties health teams in making the isolation facility in Fish Town, Maryland County operational which according to him cannot be done without proper ambulance provision.
He further noted that the GIZ has also trained nine drivers and eighteen nurses, three and six from each of the counties for the effective driving of the ambulances and handling of IPC cases for a period of three months.
Receiving the key of the three vehicles on behalf of the Minister of Health Dr. Wilhemina Jallah, Dep. Minister for Administration Hon. Norwu Howard thanked GIZ for the donation and promised that the ambulances will be used for the intended purpose.
Madam Howard further lauded GIZ for its consistent support to counties in the southeast and asked that it continue its support to enhance the sustainability of the ambulances even after the three months must have elapsed.
She also welcomed the trainees on board and cautioned them not to use the ambulances to transport anything order than sick patients during their three-month service to the Ministry.
In remarks, MOH Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Francis Kateh expressed thanks and appreciation to the GIZ and urged the trainees especially ambulance drivers to set a different standard in terms of patient management and care.
According to Dr. Kateh riding on an excessive speed just because one is driving an ambulance may often be detrimental to their life and that of the patient they intend to safe especially in the case of pregnant women, he thus cautioned drivers to drive with care and not to run above the speed limit. Meanwhile, he admonished the ambulance drivers to take their IPC measure very seriously else they could get themselves infected from patients carrying transmitted diseases or viruses and to take proper care of the vehicles given them.