NEWS – Dr. Abdon Birungi, the Chairperson of District Health Officers in Kigezi Sub-region has expressed confidence that the donation of ambulances by the Ministry of Health will enhance the referral process for medical emergencies, particularly aiding mothers in labor and addressing other critical cases in the area.
This optimism follows the allocation of five ambulances to the region, part of the 53 Type B ambulances procured by the Government and Development Partners deployed to constituencies and hospitals across various districts. The official flagging-off ceremony was presided over by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at the National Records Centre and Archives in Kampala.
Among the beneficiaries in Kigezi Sub-region are the five districts of Kabale, Rubanda, Kisoro, Kanungu, and Rukungiri, while Rukiga District had already received its share. Dr. Birungi, highlights that these ambulances represent a significant relief to address the challenges of patient inaccessibility in the region.
Dr. Birungi explains that, previously, many Health Center IV facilities had to depend on ambulances stationed at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, creating difficulties in providing services to remote and hard-to-access locations during emergencies. He underscored the importance of equipping Health Center IVs with their own ambulances, emphasizing that this move will notably enhance the region’s referral system, particularly for expectant mothers and accident victims.
CUE IN DR BIRUNGI……ON AMBULANCES……….RR//
Statistics reveal that out of the 353 constituencies, 192 have ambulances, representing a coverage rate of 54%, while all 16 regional referral hospitals boast a 100% coverage rate.
